Former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., is facing a fresh ethics complaint alleging he leveraged his position in Congress to promote Findraiser, an artificial intelligence political fundraising tool he ran alongside his chief of staff.
The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT), a conservative ethics watchdog, filed the complaint Wednesday with the Justice Department's Office of Congressional Conduct. The complaint accuses Swalwell of personally pitching Findraiser to Democratic lawmakers, staff and campaigns while serving in the House.
What the Right Is Saying
FACT's Executive Director Kendra Arnold said in a press release that Swalwell's alleged actions raise serious legal concerns. 'Public office is a position of trust, and no individual should be able to skirt accountability for potential abuses of power simply by resigning,' Arnold said. 'The reported actions using an official position to promote a personal business and potentially misusing government resources warrant a thorough investigation by the Department of Justice.'
According to NOTUS reports, Democratic operatives described Swalwell's promotion of Findraiser on Capitol Hill as 'peddling' the service. One operative said being approached by Swalwell or his staff about the company has been 'surprisingly universal' in Democratic circles. The complaints allege that while Yardena Wolf served as Swalwell's chief of staff, she emailed congressional campaigns offering demos and texted staff to set up business meetings.
House ethics rules prohibit lawmakers and their staff from using their political influence or position to make pecuniary gains. The 2022 House Ethics Manual states that members and staff should avoid even the appearance of improper conduct.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive defenders of Swalwell have pointed to the timing of the complaint, noting it follows sexual misconduct allegations that emerged earlier in April. Swalwell has denied those allegations while conceding he has made poor choices in his past regarding women.
Democratic operatives quoted by NOTUS defended the practice of lawmakers promoting businesses, noting that House rules allow lawmakers to earn passive income through businesses they own. The operatives suggested Swalwell's promotion of Findraiser was within the bounds of normal political networking, though they described his outreach as aggressive and relentless.
Swalwell's legal team has not responded to requests for comment. The Justice Department has not indicated whether it plans to investigate the complaint.
What the Numbers Show
NOTUS reported that Federal Election Commission data showed Findraiser received business from some of Swalwell's longtime political allies, including Sens. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz.
Swalwell previously represented California's 14th Congressional District and served on the House Intelligence and Judiciary committees. He announced he would not seek reelection in 2024, with his final term ending in January 2025.
The complaint comes as Swalwell faces separate investigations into sexual misconduct allegations from the Los Angeles County District Attorney, Manhattan District Attorney and the Justice Department. Those investigations remain ongoing.
The Bottom Line
The FACT complaint adds to Swalwell's growing legal and ethical challenges following his departure from Congress. The allegations center on whether he improperly used his official position to promote a private business venture while in office. The Justice Department has not commented on whether it will open a formal investigation into the complaint. Legal experts say the case will depend on whether investigators find evidence that Swalwell or his staff used congressional resources or explicitly leveraged his position as a member of Congress to secure business for Findraiser.