SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Sexual assault allegations have been reported against East Bay Rep. Eric Swalwell, one of the top contenders in California’s race for governor, following a report by the San Francisco Chronicle detailing accusations from a former female congressional staffer.
The Chronicle reported Friday that a former female congressional staffer has accused Swalwell of two separate non-consensual sexual encounters. The report alleges the interactions occurred beginning in 2019, when the woman was 21 years old and newly hired to work in the Democrat’s district office in Castro Valley.
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“Swalwell messaged her on Snapchat, she said, sending images of his genitals and seeking nude pictures of her in return,” the newspaper reported.
The former staffer also said that in 2019, Swalwell “tried to kiss her in her car when she drove him home” from a donor meeting and asked her to perform a sexual act, which she said she did.
The woman told the Chronicle that “Swalwell invited her out for drinks and she became so severely intoxicated that she does not remember the rest of the night.” She said she woke up naked in a hotel bed with the congressman and believes they had sex.
The Chronicle further reported that five years later, and no longer working for Swalwell, the woman said she encountered him again at a charity event.
Sexual assault allegations have been reported against Rep. Eric Swalwell, one of the top contenders in California’s race for governor, following a report by the San Francisco Chronicle detailing accusations from a former female congressional staffer.
“…they met for drinks…” the woman said, “…during which she became so inebriated that she only remembers snippets of the night including pushing Swalwell away and telling him, ‘No,’ while he allegedly forced himself on her.”
7 Eyewitness News has not independently verified the allegations made to the Chronicle.
Swalwell has denied the accusations. When asked by a reporter on Tuesday, “Did you ever behave inappropriately with female staffers?” he responded, “No, no, it’s false.”
On Friday, Swalwell reiterated his denial in a statement, saying, “These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor. For nearly 20 years, I have served the public – as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women. I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action. My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies.”
The response to the allegations was swift. Senior campaign staffer Courtni Pugh confirmed to 7 Eyewitness News political reporter Monica Madden that she resigned Friday amid the accusations. Los Angeles Congressman Jimmy Gomez, who had also been working on the campaign, resigned as well, calling the accusations “ugly and serious.”
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Multiple gubernatorial challengers, including Tony Thurmond, Betty Yee and Matt Mahan, have called on Swalwell to drop out of the race as the fallout continues to unfold.
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi also released the following statement in response to the allegations:
“The young woman who has made serious allegations against Congressman Swalwell must be respected and heard. This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability. As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign.”
Sen. Alex Padilla spoke with political reporter Josh Haskell with 7 in Los Angeles, calling the allegations “beyond troubling.”
“The allegations, from what I’ve heard so far, are beyond troubling, beyond serious,” he said. “Frist things first, survivors of these types of incidents deserve to be heard and treated with dignity and respect. There has to be accountability. “
Stay with 7 News for the latest details on this developing story.
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