4 women accuse gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell of sexual misconduct, CNN reports

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, a former staffer has accused Rep. Eric Swalwell, a candidate for California governor, of sexually assaulting her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent — once in 2019 while she worked for him and again in 2024 after she had left his office.The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the woman said she had sexual encounters with Swalwell while he was her boss and alleged that both assaults happened when she was too intoxicated to consent.The Chronicle said it reviewed text messages, medical records, and other documents, and spoke with people the woman said she told about the incidents.CNN later reported that four women in total accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including the former staffer. According to CNN, the other allegations included claims of unwanted touching, intoxicated encounters, and unsolicited explicit messages or nude photos.Swalwell denied the allegations in a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle, calling them false and politically motivated.“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” he wrote in a statement to the Chronicle. “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 Chronicle also reported that his attorney sent the woman a cease-and-desist letter demanding she retract her claims and threatening to sue her if she does not.The San Francisco Chronicle said the report quickly triggered political fallout, with some allies and endorsers beginning to call on Swalwell to drop out of the governor’s race and pulling their support.

SAN FRANCISCO —

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, a former staffer has accused Rep. Eric Swalwell, a candidate for California governor, of sexually assaulting her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent — once in 2019 while she worked for him and again in 2024 after she had left his office.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the woman said she had sexual encounters with Swalwell while he was her boss and alleged that both assaults happened when she was too intoxicated to consent.

The Chronicle said it reviewed text messages, medical records, and other documents, and spoke with people the woman said she told about the incidents.

CNN later reported that four women in total accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including the former staffer. According to CNN, the other allegations included claims of unwanted touching, intoxicated encounters, and unsolicited explicit messages or nude photos.

Swalwell denied the allegations in a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle, calling them false and politically motivated.

“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” he wrote in a statement to the Chronicle. “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 Chronicle also reported that his attorney sent the woman a cease-and-desist letter demanding she retract her claims and threatening to sue her if she does not.

The San Francisco Chronicle said the report quickly triggered political fallout, with some allies and endorsers beginning to call on Swalwell to drop out of the governor’s race and pulling their support.