WASHINGTON, D.C. —On Saturday, August 15, former California State Representative Eric Swalwell of the 14th District was served a warrant at the San Francisco International Airport, where FBI agents were seizing electronic devices, he had in his custody at the time.
Agents served Swalwell with a search warrant at his Washington, D.C., home on August 16. Initial reports indicate that it was Swalwell’s Livermore, California home was raided.
The search and seizure of Swalwell’s computers, and electronic devices is reportedly in connection with the ongoing FBI investigation related to rape and sexual assault allegations against him.
Swalwell, originally from Iowa, was raised in Dublin, California by his parents both Republicans. Swalwell served as a Democrat in Southern California District 15 for the 113th-117th Congress (2013-2023) and for District 14 in the 118th-119th Congress from 2023 until April 2026. He resigned over sexual assault allegations. Swalwell has denied the allegations.
Reports indicate that a former congressional staffer accused Swalwell of sexually assaulting her twice between 2019 and 2024. She alleged that she was intoxicated and unable to consent. Model Lonna Drewes accused Swalwell of drugging, choking, and raping her in 2018.
Multiple women reported unsolicited nude photographs and explicit messages sent to them from the former congressman via platforms such as Snapchat. One of the recipients indicated that Swalwell was tracking her and loitering near her apartment. At least a dozen other women complained of uncomfortable, inappropriate communication with the State Rep.
Swalwell, 45, is reportedly separated from his current wife of nearly 10 years, Brittany Ann Watts. They have three children together. He was previously married to Melissa Maranda (2007-2010). That marriage ended in divorce.
He was investigated in 2020 after being named as a suspect in a story published by Axios regarding an alleged relationship between him and a suspected Chinese spy, Fang Fang, 49, known as Christine Fang.
The relationship began in 2012, when she allegedly was cultivating contacts with California politicians who the Chinese government believed would have promising futures in politics.
Newly declassified FBI files reveal that Swalwell admitted to having a physical relationship with Fang, a suspected Chinese intelligence operative who helped with his 2014 campaign fundraising and placed an intern in his congressional office. Swalwell reportedly ended his ties with Fang in 2015.
