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FBI raids Calif. mansion in connection with Eric Swalwell sexual assault investigation
· Confirmed
In Short: The New York Post and the Independent (United Kingdom) both reported that the FBI raided a Beverly Hills mansion in connection with the investigation into disgraced California politician Eric Swalwell, and sources told The Post it is linked to a sex worker.
The FBI raided a mansion in Beverly Hills on Tuesday morning as part of an ongoing investigation into former California congressman Eric Swalwell, according to multiple sources. The New York Post reported that billionaire Stephen Cloobeck, who had supported Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign and allowed him to stay at his residence, evicted Swalwell after allegations surfaced.
The Independent (United Kingdom) and Thenews (Pakistan) reported that the raid is connected to allegations of sexual misconduct that led to Swalwell’s resignation from Congress and withdrawal from the California governor’s race earlier this year. The Independent noted that federal prosecutors are focusing on whether Swalwell used his position to silence accusers.
The New York Post reported that Cloobeck evicted Swalwell from the mansion after allegations surfaced, saying, 'I am no longer associated with a man that takes advantage of women. I support women’s rights.' The Independent (United Kingdom) and Thenews (Pakistan) did not mention this statement.
The BBC (United Kingdom) reported that the case remains under investigation by authorities in New York and Los Angeles County. The New York Post did not provide this detail.
The New York Post and the Independent (United Kingdom) both reported that the mansion targeted by federal authorities belongs to billionaire Stephen Cloobeck, who had previously supported Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign and allowed him to stay at his residence.
The New York Post and the Independent (United Kingdom) both noted that Swalwell, 45, dropped out of California's governor's race earlier this year and gave up his seat in the House of Representatives after allegations of sexual misconduct while in office emerged.
The justice department said only that 'early this morning the FBI conducted an operation in the Los Angeles region related to an ongoing criminal investigation. We have no further comment,' according to the BBC (United Kingdom), the Independent (United Kingdom), and Newsweek.
The New York Post and the Independent (United Kingdom) both reported that the FBI seized Swalwell’s electronic devices and raided his Washington DC home in August as part of the investigation into sexual misconduct allegations.
The New York Post and the Independent (United Kingdom) both reported that the property is owned by Swalwell donor Stephen Cloobeck.
The New York Post and the Independent (United Kingdom) both reported that the operation represents another federal investigative step involving the former Democratic lawmaker, months after agents seized his electronic devices and searched his Washington, D.C., home amid an investigation connected to sexual misconduct allegations.
The New York Post and the Independent (United Kingdom) both reported that the raid was conducted on Tuesday morning at the home of billionaire Stephen Cloobeck, who was a prominent sponsor of Swalwell’s California gubernatorial run this year.
The New York Post and the Independent (United Kingdom) both reported that among the accusers was a former congressional staff member who said he sexually assaulted her twice — in 2019 and 2024.
Background
The FBI raided a Beverly Hills mansion owned by Swalwell donor Stephen Cloobeck as part of an ongoing investigation into the former congressman.
What's confirmed
- The FBI raided a mansion in Beverly Hills on Tuesday morning as part of an ongoing investigation into former California congressman Eric Swalwell, according to multiple sources.
- The New York Post reported that Cloobeck evicted Swalwell from the mansion after allegations surfaced, saying, "I am no longer associated with a man that takes advantage of women. I support women’s rights."
- The raid is connected to allegations of sexual misconduct that led to Swalwell’s resignation from Congress and withdrawal from the California governor’s race earlier this year.
- In a statement, the justice department said only that "early this morning the FBI conducted an operation in the Los Angeles region related to an ongoing criminal investigation. We have no further comment."
- In August, the FBI stopped the former Democratic lawmaker at an airport, seized his electronic devices and raided his Washington DC home as part of the investigation into those allegations.
- “I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me,” he wrote.
What's still developing
- Once a high-profile Democrat that had become a fixture of cable news shows criticising President Donald Trump - and briefly considered a likely future governor of California - Swalwell was abruptly forced to end his gubernatorial bid after the allegations surfaced.
- The BBC has contacted Swalwell's lawyer for comment.