After suspending his campaign for California governor, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Dublin, announced Monday he will resign his congressional seat as he faces allegations of sexual assault and criminal misconduct.
Four women, including at least one congressional staff member, have accused Swalwell of sexual assault, and federal authorities are investigating his alleged hiring of a nanny who is an undocumented immigrant.
The resignation announcement came one day after Swalwell suspended his gubernatorial campaign.
“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell said in a statement Monday. “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,” Swalwell said. “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.”
The sexual misconduct allegations surfaced Friday with a San Francisco Chronicle story reporting an employee’s allegations that she had a consensual relationship with the married congressman that included having sex with Swalwell while working for him. She further claimed Swalwell sexually assaulted her on two occasions when she was drunk and unable to give consent, according to the Chronicle.
CNN reported later Friday that three additional women had accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including his alleged sending of unsolicited nude photos.
On Sunday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security added to the furor with the announcement of an investigation into the possibility that Swalwell hired a domestic worker who was in the country illegally.
“USCIS has been collecting information on the allegations involving Congressman Eric Swalwell hiring of a Brazilian national as a nanny without lawful work authorization,” according to a Homeland Security post on X. “@USCIS has referred this matter to DHS law enforcement for investigation. No one is above the law, including a member of Congress.”
The allegations immediately led to a slew of calls for Swalwell to exit the California gubernatorial campaign, which he did Sunday. However, the calls continued to mount for him to surrender his congressional seat.
On Monday, the House Ethics Committee announced an investigation, following an announcement by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Florida, that she planned to file a motion to expel Swalwell from office, which would require a two-thirds vote from the House of Representatives.
Also on Saturday, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced an investigation into the allegation from the former staff member who accused Swalwell of having sex with her when she was heavily intoxicated and unable to consent after a night of drinking with him in New York City two years ago.
Swalwell denied the allegations in a social media video posted Friday.
“A lot has been said about me today through anonymous allegations,” Swalwell said. “These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They are absolutely false. They did not happen; they have never happened, and I will fight them with everything I have.
“They also come on the eve of an election where I have been the front-runner candidate for governor in California. I do not suggest to you in any way that I’m perfect or that I’m a saint. I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past. But those mistakes are between me and my wife, and to her I apologize deeply for putting her in this position. I also apologize to you if in any way you have doubted your support for me, but I think you know who I am. For over 20 years, I have served the public as a city councilman, as a member of Congress, and as a prosecutor who went to court on behalf of victims, particularly on behalf of sexual assault victims.”
Swalwell has served in the House since 2013.
