The story reports new allegations of sexual misconduct against Rep. Eric Swalwell, with multiple women coming forward who describe unwanted advances, explicit messages, and one claiming she was assaulted after being intoxicated; Swalwell denies the claims and his attorney has sent cease-and-desist letters while CNN says it corroborated key elements of some accounts.
Earlier this week a former staffer accused California Rep. Eric Swalwell of sexually assaulting her on two occasions while she was intoxicated, and the congressman publicly denied the allegations, calling them the work of “MAGA conspiracy theorists.” The denial has not stopped additional women from telling similar stories, and the situation is unfolding as Swalwell pursues higher office in California. Multiple accounts now describe a pattern of flirtatious outreach that allegedly escalated into unwelcome sexual conduct.
Three other women told reporters that Swalwell sent unsolicited explicit messages or nude photos, and one said she woke up extremely drunk in the congressman’s hotel room after an evening together, with limited recall of what happened. She also said he kissed her and touched her leg without her consent earlier that night. Another woman who first contacted Swalwell about Democratic politics says he responded and later sent messages that she considered inappropriate for the public figure she had reached out to.
Three other women who spoke with CNN also alleged various kinds of sexual misconduct by the Democratic congressman – including Swalwell sending them unsolicited explicit messages or nude photos.
One woman who connected online with Swalwell over her interest in Democratic politics says she ended up extremely drunk inside his hotel room after a night out with the congressman, with little memory of what occurred. Earlier in the night at a bar, he kissed her and touched her leg without her consent, she said.
Another woman, who described receiving unsolicited nude messages from Swalwell, was social media creator Ally Sammarco. She said she initially reached out to the congressman on Twitter to discuss politics. “I truly never thought he would respond – I had like 1,000 followers at the time,” she said. “And he actually responded.”
The congressman issued a statement rejecting the claims, saying the allegations are false and politically timed. Swalwell said the accusations surfaced “on the eve of an election against the front-runner for governor” and that he will defend himself and take legal action where necessary. He added that his immediate priority is to be with his wife and children and to defend “our decades of service against these lies.”
“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the front-runner for governor,” Swalwell said in a statement to CNN. “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.”
According to reporting that reviewed contemporaneous messages and witness accounts, elements of some women’s stories were corroborated, including text messages and medical records supplied by one accuser. Family members and friends say a former staffer told them about an alleged 2024 assault days after it occurred, and text messages were shared that referenced the incident. Medical records mentioned in reporting related to STI and pregnancy testing after the alleged encounter.
CNN found corroboration for key elements of each of the women’s claims, including the former staffer who said she was sexually assaulted. Two family members and a friend said in interviews with CNN that she told them about the alleged 2024 assault in the following days, and CNN also reviewed text messages she sent two friends describing her allegations at the same time. “I was sexually assaulted on Thursday,” she wrote to one of her friends, adding: “By Eric.”
The woman also shared medical records related to her receiving STD and pregnancy testing after the alleged assault.
Another woman provided messages she said were exchanged with Swalwell and friends and family who confirmed she recounted the hotel room incident soon after it happened. Investigative reporting included screenshots and timestamps that reporters say match public footage of the congressman in the same city on the evening in question. Sources described how some details lined up across multiple accounts, giving reporters material to verify aspects of the claims.
For the woman who connected online with Swalwell over Democratic politics, a family member and two friends confirmed she told them last year about the incident where she ended up intoxicated in his hotel room. CNN also reviewed messages between her and Swalwell, including a photo he sent her that matches footage of him during a CNN interview in her city on the night they met in person.
Several additional women, who requested anonymity, described a similar pattern where Swalwell engaged younger adults professionally and personally, built rapport and flattery, and then shifted toward sexual messages. Reporters say they reviewed many of the exchanges, noting that while some messages were flirtatious none of the screenshots the outlet published were sexually explicit. Sources added that more graphic conversations, the women claim, happened on ephemeral platforms like Snapchat where messages disappear.
The women described a similar pattern of events: Swalwell, who is married and has three children, showed close interest in their lives when they were in their twenties and finding their footing professionally, making them feel special and even starstruck. Then, they said, he would send them increasingly sexual messages. Many said they reciprocated and engaged with him in part because of his position of power.
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CNN reviewed screenshots of dozens of messages Swalwell exchanged with the women, many of which are flirtatious in nature. None of the messages reviewed by CNN are sexually explicit. The women said Swalwell generally sent more graphic messages via Snapchat, where messages are automatically deleted after short periods of time. Snapchat also warns senders if screenshots are captured.
After reporters began asking questions, Swalwell’s legal team sent cease-and-desist letters to at least two of the women, telling them their accounts were “false” and demanding retractions under threat of legal action. The attorney also denied that Swalwell ever had nonconsensual sex with any woman or sexual relations with any member of his staff. The delivery of legal warnings has added a litigation angle to an already explosive news cycle.
Commentators and legal observers noted that these allegations could have political consequences, particularly for a candidate running statewide in California. As more accounts emerged, attention turned to how party leaders, unions, and voters will respond to the competing claims and the evidence reporters say they reviewed. The story remains active, with further developments likely as investigations and potential legal steps proceed.
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