California Rep Eric Swalwell denies former staffer sexual misconduct allegations

U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, Democrat of California, released a video Friday evening strongly denying the sexual assault allegations against him, calling the accusations “flat out false” and “absolutely false.”

Swalwell, who is the leading Democratic candidate in California’s gubernatorial race, has been accused by a former employee of sexually assaulting her while she was intoxicated on multiple occasions. THE explosive allegations, which included reports of sexual harassment against other female employees, were reported Friday by the San Francisco Chronicle.

The anonymous accuser allegedly worked for Swalwell for about two years and said he pursued her shortly after she was hired as a 21-year-old employee in his district office — even though he was married.

“A lot has been said about me today through anonymous allegations, and I thought it was important for you to see and hear from me directly. These allegations of sexual assault are flat out false,” Swalwell said in a social media video. “They are absolutely false. They did not happen. They never happened. And I will fight them with everything I have.”

PELOSI, CALIFORNIA DEMS Slam SWALWELL FOR ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT BOMB: “INDEFENSIBLE”

Rep. Eric Swalwell, Democrat of California, has been accused of sexual assault by a former staffer. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The alleged victim accused Swalwell of pressuring her to send him nude photos of herself, adding that he sent her sexually explicit photos of himself. She also said he allegedly ripped off her private parts while he was driving a car with her and asked her to perform oral sex on him.

On several occasions, the young employee said she passed out from drinking before waking up naked in Swalwell’s hotel bed with signs that she had had sex. Swalwell reportedly distanced himself after the incident and their relationship faded.

The woman said they met up again when she was no longer working for him and another incident allegedly took place.

FORMER SWALWELL EMPLOYEE DROPS ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT BOMB, EXPOSING HERSELF: REPORT

In the video, Swalwell said he was neither “perfect” nor “saint,” but that his past “errors in judgment” were between him and his wife. He then apologized for having “put [his wife] in this position. »

California gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell salutes before speaking at the 2026 California Democratic Party state convention in San Francisco, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

He also apologized to his supporters for potentially leading them to doubt his support, but that apology was quickly followed by: “I think you know who I am.”

“For more than 20 years, I have served the public as a city councilor, congressman and prosecutor who went to court on behalf of victims, particularly on behalf of victims of sexual assault,” Swalwell said. “That’s who I am and always have been.”

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These allegations caused a handful of prominent Democratic supporters to withdraw their support for Swalwell for governor, with some even encouraging him to drop out of the race altogether.

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former Rep. Katie Porter, Democrat of California, discussed sexual harassment allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell, Democrat of California, during the latter part of the 2026 California gubernatorial primary. (Ronaldo Bolaños/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images; Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images; Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)

As of Saturday morning, Swalwell remains a candidate in the California gubernatorial race.

Alec Shemmel of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.