Trump official refers Swalwell to Justice Department over alleged mortgage and tax fraud
Washington – A Trump administration official has referred California Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell to the Justice Department for alleged tax and mortgage fraud, sources tell CBS News.
The official, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, made similar accusations against several other officials, including Democratic New York Attorney General Letitia James, California Senator Adam Schiff, and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
Jacques was indicted on one count of bank fraud and one count of making false statements to a financial institution last month and pleaded not guilty. James’ lawyers having argued The case is politically motivated, claiming the administration is targeting her for her role in the civil fraud charge against President Trump in New York.
Mr. Trump moved to Cook fire in August after Pulte accused her of making false statements on mortgage documents. But Cook sued, arguing that his deportation was illegal, and the Supreme Court will hear the arguments in January on whether Mr. Trump can fire her from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
The allegations against Swalwell relate to a property in Washington, D.C., the sources said. The Justice Department had no comment.
In a statement, Swalwell appealed to President Trump to “do better.” Be better.”
“As Donald Trump’s most vocal critic in the last decade and as the only person who still has a lawsuit against him, the only thing that surprises me is that it took him this long to sue me,” he said in a statement. “Like James Comey and John Bolton, Adam Schiff and Lisa Cook, Letitia James and dozens more to come, I refuse to live in fear in what was once the freest country in the world.”
Swalwell filed a civil action against Mr. Trump in March 2021 for his actions related to the January 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol. In the suit, the California Democrat accuses the president of inciting violence at the Capitol with his tweets and speech outside the White House on the morning of January 6, in violation of federal civil rights laws and Washington law. The case continued to move forward in federal district court in Washington.
Swalwell said in his statement that he would not end his case against the president.
“And I will not stop denouncing the president and defending Californians,” he continued.
Swalwell has been a vocal critic of Mr. Trump and served as impeachment manager during Mr. Trump’s second impeachment trial, which stems from the January 6 attack. He confirmed to CBS News in June, he took out a liability insurance policy to protect himself due to fears of potential legal exposure during Mr. Trump’s second term.
