The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has launched an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against U.S. Congressman Eric Swalwell, a high-profile Democrat currently running for governor of California. The probe follows a series of accusations from four women, involving claims that range from sexual harassment and unwanted touching to rape.
The investigation, confirmed by the Modern York City prosecutor’s office on Saturday, April 12, 2026, focuses on allegations of sexual assault, including an incident reported to have occurred in New York. A former staff member of the congressman has specifically accused him of two nonconsensual sexual encounters, one in California in 2019 and another in New York in 2024 The Guardian.
Congressman Swalwell, who has represented a district near San Francisco since 2012, has firmly denied the claims. In a statement released on Friday, he described the allegations as “false,” asserting that he has protected women throughout his nearly 20-year career as a prosecutor and congressman. He has vowed to defend himself with “facts” and indicated he may pursue legal action BBC News.
The legal pressure mounts as the Manhattan District Attorney’s Special Victims Division has urged any other survivors or individuals with knowledge of the allegations to come forward, promising a trauma-informed and survivor-centered approach to the investigation BBC News.
Details of the Allegations and the New York Investigation
The catalyst for the current legal scrutiny began with a report in the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday, in which a former staffer detailed her experiences working in Swalwell’s Castro Valley district office. The woman alleged that shortly after her hiring, the congressman began making inappropriate comments, soliciting her for sex, and sending sexual messages.
According to the reports, the woman alleged she was assaulted twice by Swalwell. The first incident is said to have occurred in September 2019 following a night of drinks. In a subsequent on-camera interview with CNN, where her identity was obscured, the woman directly accused the congressman of raping her during the second encounter in New York in 2024 The Guardian.
The woman told reporters she believed she was too intoxicated to consent during both the 2019 and 2024 incidents. This specific detail is central to the New York investigation, as state law stipulates that a person cannot legally consent to sexual activity if they are “physically helpless” or “mentally incapacitated” due to the influence of drugs or alcohol The Guardian.
Beyond the allegations from the former staffer, CNN reported that three other women have accused Swalwell of misconduct, including the sending of naked images, inappropriate sexual messages, and unwanted touching The Guardian.
Political Fallout and the California Governor Race
The timing of these allegations has created a significant political crisis for Swalwell, who is a leading contender in the race for governor of California. As news of the Manhattan investigation and the specific claims of sexual assault broke, calls grew for the congressman to withdraw from the gubernatorial race.
The allegations have placed Swalwell in a precarious position within his own party. While he maintains his innocence and insists his record as a public servant is untarnished, the nature of the claims—specifically those involving a subordinate staff member—raises serious questions regarding power dynamics and workplace conduct.
The Manhattan prosecutor’s office has emphasized that its investigators and counselors are equipped to handle these cases in a manner that prioritizes the needs of the survivors. The investigation is ongoing, and the District Attorney’s office continues to seek additional witnesses or evidence related to the claims BBC News.
Key Timeline of Events
| Date/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| September 2019 | First alleged assault occurs in California, according to a former staffer. |
| 2024 | Second alleged assault occurs in New York, as reported by the accuser. |
| Friday, April 11, 2026 | San Francisco Chronicle reports allegations; Swalwell denies claims as “false.” |
| Saturday, April 12, 2026 | Manhattan District Attorney’s Office confirms launch of investigation into sexual misconduct. |
The next critical step in this process will be the findings of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Special Victims Division. As the investigation proceeds, the political future of Eric Swalwell’s campaign for governor remains uncertain, pending any official charges or further evidence brought to light by the prosecutor’s office.
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