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By Anna Commander and Gabe Whisnant
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating multiple sexual assault allegations involving former California Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell, a person familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital on Thursday.
The former congressman has dropped out of the race for California governor and also resigned from Congress amid the accusations and backlash. He has adamantly denied all the allegations.
Newsweek reached out to Swalwell's lawyer via email on Thursday night for comment.
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Why It Matters
The reported federal probe marks a significant escalation as five women have accused Swalwell of sexual assault or misconduct over numerous years, triggering bipartisan scrutiny and multiple law enforcement reviews.
The Los Angeles County and Manhattan District Attorney's Offices also initiated parallel investigations, Fox News Digital reports.
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What To Know
The San Francisco Chronicle first reported last week on allegations that Swalwell sexually assaulted a former staffer—accusations that he vehemently denies.
According to the Chronicle's report, she alleged Swalwell sexually assaulted her while she was too intoxicated to consent. CNN also reported four women accusing him of sexual misconduct.
This week, Lonna Drewes also alleged that Swalwell drugged, choked and sexually assaulted her in 2018.
FBI Director Kash Patel posted to X on Monday, ".@EricSwalwell has maintained that none of the allegations against him are true, and now that he’s resigned, we would welcome him to sit down with the FBI and share any information he has. We also encourage and welcome any person with relevant information to any of these matters to speak with us. Door is open to all. @FBI 1-800-CALL-FBI"
NOTUS was first to report the apparent DOJ investigation into Swalwell.
Before he resigned and announced he was withdrawing from the California gubernatorial race, Swalwell addressed the accusations in a video posted to X last week.
In the video, the former congressman said, "A lot has been said about me today through anonymous allegations. And I thought it was important that you see and hear from me directly. These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They're absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything that 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," he added in part.
Update 4/16/26, 9:08 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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