The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office sex crimes unit is reviewing whether to file criminal charges against former Representative Eric Swalwell, a spokesperson confirmed. The review follows a referral from the county sheriff’s victims’ unit, which concluded its investigation into allegations of sexual assault and misconduct and forwarded the case to prosecutors on Sept. 21.
Swalwell, a Democrat who represented California’s 15th district, resigned from Congress in April and dropped out of the California governor’s race after multiple women accused him of misconduct, charges he has consistently denied.
The allegations first emerged in April following a report by the San Francisco Chronicle, in which a former aide stated she was sexually assaulted by Swalwell twice. Subsequent reporting by CNN included accounts from four additional women, one of whom, Ally Sammarco, alleged that Swalwell sent her unsolicited photos. Former model Lonna Drewes also held a news conference in Los Angeles, accusing Swalwell of drugging, sexually assaulting, and choking her. Los Angeles authorities confirmed the launch of a criminal investigation at that time.
What the Right Is Saying
Critics and accusers have emphasized the seriousness of the allegations and the role of law enforcement in investigating them. The initial reports were amplified by media outlets and commentators who highlighted the contrast between Swalwell’s public persona and the private conduct alleged by his accusers. The involvement of the FBI, which searched Swalwell’s Washington, D.C., home and seized electronic devices at the San Francisco airport in August, has been cited by some as an indicator of the severity of the inquiry. While specific conservative political figures have not issued a unified statement in the provided source, the narrative of accountability and the detailed nature of the accusations have resonated with those skeptical of the former congressman's defense.
What the Left Is Saying
Swalwell’s legal team maintains that the former congressman is innocent and that the allegations are unfounded. Sara Azari, an attorney for Swalwell, characterized the referral to the District Attorney as a "standard procedural step" rather than a charging decision or a finding of wrongdoing. "It changes nothing about the facts," Azari stated in an email, noting that the defense welcomes a "fair, independent review" and is confident the process will vindicate their client. Swalwell himself stated in a video released in April that the allegations are "flat false" and that he would fight them vigorously.
What the Numbers Show
Eric Swalwell served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 13 years before his resignation in April. Following his departure, a special election was held in June to fill the remainder of his term, which was won by Democrat Aisha Wahab. Wahab is currently facing a rematch against fellow Democrat Melissa Hernandez in the general election for the full two-year term scheduled for November.
The investigation timeline includes the sheriff’s referral to prosecutors on Sept. 21, and FBI searches conducted in August, during which an iPhone and a MacBook Pro were seized.
The Bottom Line
The decision by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s sex crimes unit to potentially bring charges represents a significant development in a case that ended Eric Swalwell’s congressional career and gubernatorial ambitions. The outcome will determine whether the criminal justice system pursues prosecution based on the allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. Meanwhile, the political vacuum in California’s 15th district continues to shape the upcoming November election, with two Democratic candidates vying to represent the seat Swalwell vacated.