Former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., paid one of his attorneys over $360,000 combined from his congressional and gubernatorial campaign accounts just weeks after dropping out of the gubernatorial race and resigning from Congress, a Fox News Digital review found.
A $50,000 payment was made on April 24 to celebrity lawyer Sara Azari for 'Legal [and] Accounting Services,' according to California state records. The payment came 11 days after Swalwell resigned from Congress following sexual misconduct allegations that had derailed his gubernatorial campaign and ultimately cost him his congressional seat.
Three other payments appear to have been made by Swalwell's gubernatorial campaign the following month to Azari, including a $250,000 payment in early May for 'campaign legal compliance,' California state records show. The timing of the payments raised questions about what services they covered and whether Swalwell was seeking to salvage his public image.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative critics argued that the large payments to Azari raise questions about what legal issues Swalwell was preparing to address beyond his congressional resignation. The timing of the payments, just weeks after stepping down, drew scrutiny from Republican commentators who noted that typical post-resignation legal matters rarely require such substantial expenditures.
Azari's public defense of Swalwell also drew criticism. In an interview with NewsNation, she said: 'The fact that, you know, a day later, years later, or whatnot, you maybe had shame around what you did, or maybe you were in a relationship and shouldn't have done what you did, doesn't make it rape.' Republicans pointed to her comments as dismissive of the women's allegations.
Republican critics noted that despite Swalwell's resignation, he continues to face criminal investigations in New York and Los Angeles in addition to a Justice Department inquiry into alleged sexual misconduct. The substantial payments to legal counsel raised questions about what issues his defense teams are preparing for beyond campaign finance compliance matters.
What the Left Is Saying
High-ranking Democrats had pulled their support from Swalwell following allegations published by CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle. Women provided detailed accounts of how the congressman allegedly pursued intoxicated women, pressured employees into intimate situations and asked for explicit images from female contacts.
Despite withdrawing from the race and resigning, some progressive voices noted that Azari defended Swalwell's decision to step aside as demonstrating accountability. 'I think it demonstrates a tremendous amount of accountability, not because he's done these things and he's stepping down, but because how could he properly defend himself and represent his constituency with these serious allegations pending,' Azari said in an interview with NewsNation.
Swalwell denied the allegations while apologizing for past mistakes. '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 allegations made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make,' he said in a statement.
What the Numbers Show
$360,000: Total amount paid to attorney Sara Azari from Swalwell's congressional and gubernatorial campaign accounts in April and May following his resignation.
$50,000: Payment made on April 24 to Azari for 'Legal [and] Accounting Services,' which came 11 days after Swalwell resigned from Congress.
$250,000: Payment made by the gubernatorial campaign in early May for 'campaign legal compliance.'
3-4: Number of separate payments made to Azari during this period, according to California state records reviewed by Fox News Digital.
Swalwell is currently facing criminal investigations in New York and Los Angeles as well as a Justice Department inquiry into alleged sexual misconduct. No charges have been publicly filed.
The Bottom Line
The $360,000 in payments to Sara Azari from Swalwell's campaign accounts comes as the former congressman faces multiple ongoing investigations into alleged sexual misconduct. While his attorneys have denied any criminal conduct, the size and timing of the legal payments raise questions about what issues are being addressed.
Swalwell resigned from Congress 11 days before the first major payment to Azari, and withdrew from the California gubernatorial race amid mounting pressure from fellow Democrats who pulled their endorsements. His attorney has said Swalwell 'took accountability' by stepping down while maintaining that he did not commit the alleged misconduct.
What to watch: Whether any criminal charges emerge from the investigations in New York, Los Angeles, or the Justice Department inquiry. The California Secretary of State's office may also review whether the payments comply with state campaign finance regulations.