Rep. Swalwell facing Manhattan DA investigation for sexual assault
by Mary McCue Bell · The Washington TimesThe Manhattan District Attorney’s Office will investigate a sexual assault allegation against Rep. Eric Swalwell — the biggest hurdle yet in the Democratic lawmaker’s gubernatorial bid in California.
A former staffer said she was inebriated after drinking with Mr. Swalwell in 2024, when she woke up to him having sex with her in his New York City hotel room.
“I was pushing him off of me, saying no,” she told CNN. “He didn’t stop.”
The DA’s office told CNN that it urges “survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations to contact our Special Victims Division at 212-335-9373. Our specially trained prosecutors, investigators and counselors are well-equipped to help you in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered manner.”
A flurry of developments has rattled Mr. Swalwell and his campaign for governor since the sexual assault allegations on Friday.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is leading calls to expel her colleague across the aisle, saying Saturday she wants to boot Mr. Swalwell from office due to his rape allegations.
“I am filing a motion to expel Eric Swalwell from Congress,” the Florida Republican wrote on social media, calling for him to resign or else she will advance the proposal next week.
Mr. Swalwell was already in a tight race and the only Democratic frontrunner for California’s June 2 open primary.
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Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco are vying with Mr. Swalwell at the front of a crowded field, creating the potential for just the two Republicans to advance to the general election and ensure that left-leaning California gets a Republican governor for the first time in two decades.
Mr. Swalwell was accused of sexually assaulting a former staffer twice when she was too intoxicated to consent, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday. Three additional women told CNN the lawmaker engaged in nonconsensual sex or messaged them inappropriately, including sending nudes.
One woman’s husband, Adam Parkhomenko, said his wife went on the record “so that hopefully this did not happen to other women and maybe it would help other women come forward.”
He said his wife, Ally Sammarco, provided CNN with all the messages that Mr. Swalwell sent her.
Ms. Luna encouraged those who said they are his victims to contact her office, saying, “All victims deserve to be heard.”
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“I will be bringing a vote to expel Rep. Swalwell from Congress next week. Will Democrats vote to protect this corruption? I am not going to serve with these sexual deviants; that is not what Congress is about,” she added.
Prominent party leaders, such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, called for investigations into the allegations. At the same time, powerful labor unions and other allies have suspended their support.
Mr. Swalwell described the accusations as “absolutely false.”
“They did not happen,” he said Friday. “They have never happened, and I will fight them with everything that I have. They also come on the eve of an election where I have been the front-runner candidate for governor in California.”
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Ms. Luna is not buying into his denial.
“There are many young women over the last few months that have come forward about multiple MALE members of Congress, both Democrat and Republican, and the leadership on both sides has done nothing. I am not going to act like it is fine. This is NOT okay,” she said, adding that she will bring forward multiple privileged disciplinary motions next week.
Expulsion is the most severe form of congressional discipline, needing a two-thirds vote. The action is rare, generally reserved for serious, often criminal, offenses after a member has been seated.
• Mary McCue Bell can be reached at mbell@washingtontimes.com.