The Manhattan District Attorney's Office has opened a criminal investigation into sexual assault allegations against Representative Eric Swalwell, a leading candidate for California governor.
Four women have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct in reports published by CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle. The allegations range from inappropriate messages to alleged non-consensual encounters spanning from 2019 to 2024.
A former aide who worked in Swalwell's Castro Valley office beginning in 2019 at age 21 described two alleged assaults. She claims the first occurred after a night of drinking when she became blackout intoxicated and later woke up naked in a hotel room. The second alleged incident took place in 2024 at a New York hotel after they met for drinks at an awards event.
I was pushing him off of me, saying no. He didn't stop.
Former aide — CNN
The woman also alleged that Swalwell engaged in sexually explicit communication over Snapchat, including sending photos of his genitals and requesting nude images. She described multiple instances of alleged unwanted advances, including an attempted kiss and an encounter in a parked car where she said he exposed himself.
The Independent frames this as a straightforward criminal justice story, emphasizing the institutional response from the Manhattan DA's office and providing detailed allegations without editorial commentary. Their coverage focuses on the procedural aspects of the investigation rather than the political implications for American governance.