Eric Swalwell resigning from Congress amid sexual assault allegations
Eric Swalwell drops out amid sex assault allegations
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D - Calif.) has dropped out of the race for California Governor. The announcement comes in the wake of sexual assault allegations against the U.S. House member.
Are you or someone you know a recent survivor of sexual assault? Help is available. Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) provides a 24/7 national sexual assault hotline, which can be reached at 1-800-656-4673.
LOS ANGELES – A day after dropping out of the race for California Governor, Rep. Eric Swalwell is resigning from his seat in Congress.
The series of announcements come as Swalwell is at the center of several sexual assault allegations.
In an announcement made on social media on Monday, April 13, Swalwell acknowledged the "mistakes in judgment" from his past, but vehemently denied the allegations against him.
Ex-Swalwell backer: 'I am no longer a Democrat'
Stephen Cloobeck, a former major donor and supporter of Eric Swalwell, expressed disappointment following the allegations against the ex-California gubernatorial candidate.
Below is the statement released by Swalwell on his social media page:
"I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.
I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But it's also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.
I will work with my staff in the coming days to ensure they are able, in my absence, to serve the needs of the good people of the 14th congressional district."
Swalwell made the announcement about dropping out of the race for California Governor on Sunday.
Swallwell sexual assault allegations
According to a report from the San Francisco Chronicle, the alleged accuser worked for Swalwell for two years and claimed she had sexual encounters with him during her employment. She told SF Chronicle that Swalwell sexually assaulted her on two separate occasions when she was too intoxicated to consent.
The woman told SF Chronicle she worked for Swalwell in 2019 when she was 21. According to the report, she accused Swalwell of messaging her on social media, sending explicit photos and asking her for nude photos.
According to a separate report from CNN, four women accused Swalwell of "various kinds of sexual misconduct." The allegations ranged from "inappropriate messages and pictures to unwanted kissing and touching – and in one case, rape," CNN reports.
Swalwell denied the sexual assault allegations in a video posted to social media on Friday.
This story was reported from Los Angeles.