Eric Swalwell, a hopeful contender for the governorship of California, finds himself at the center of a serious investigation led by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. The inquiry stems from allegations of sexual assault that have recently surfaced against him.

These allegations, which emerged on Friday, have been brought forward by four women, including some of Swalwell’s former staff members. Despite the gravity of the accusations, Swalwell, who is married, has firmly denied any wrongdoing. However, prominent figures within his own Democratic Party, such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have urged him to step down from the gubernatorial race.

In a significant development on Saturday, more than a dozen of Swalwell’s current staff members issued a unified statement condemning the alleged misconduct described in the accusations. The statement, though unsigned, reflects a strong stance against the reported behavior.

“We stand with our former colleague and the other women who have come forward,” the statement asserts. “We believe you should stand with them, too. The behavior detailed in these reports is abhorrent, beneath the dignity of those serving in public office, and betrays the trust of all Californians.”

‘We stand with our former colleague, and the other women who have come forward,’ the statement reads.

‘We believe you should stand with them, too. The behavior detailed in these reports is abhorrent, beneath the dignity of those serving in public office and betrays the trust of all Californians.’

It has now emerged that the congressman is facing an investigation from the DA’s office, NBC reports, over one of the alleged incidents which is reportedly took place in New York City.

A spokesperson for the district attorney’s office urged ‘survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations to contact our Special Victims Division at 212-335-9373. Our specially trained prosecutors, investigators, and counselors are well-equipped to help you in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered manner.’

Eric Swalwell was accused of sexual assault by former staff members on Friday, prompting an investigation from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office

One accuser Ally Sammarco went on the record with CNN. Her husband, Adam Parkhomenko, has supported her via social media

 Swalwell issued a video denying the women’s claims on Friday, calling the reports ‘flat false.’

He also suggested a conspiracy, pointing out that they were released ‘on the eve of’ the June 2 primary, in which he claimed to be ‘the frontrunner,’ though Real Clear Politics‘ average shows him trailing Republican Steve Hilton in the primary.

The allegations began with claims from a former staffer who alleged she was raped by Swalwell when she was too intoxicated to consent.

She told CNN that in April 2024, after a night of heavy drinking in New York City, she woke up to Swalwell having sex with her in his hotel bed.

‘I was pushing him off of me, saying no,’ she said, adding that it happened after she stopped working in his office. ‘He didn’t stop.’ 

At least four women have now accused the Congressman of sexual misconduct, including the former staffer’s claim that he sexually assaulted her twice.

Another of the alleged victims, Ally Sammarco, went on the record with CNN and alleged that the gubernatorial candidate sent her unsolicited nude messages. 

The political content creator based in DC messaged Swalwell in 2021 in hopes of discussing politics. 

The 28-year-old said the congressman ‘became very inappropriate, like saying about how hot he thought I was, insinuating we should get together and hook up.’

‘I thought I was the only one that had this experience with him,’ she told NBC. 

‘These people have authority, and they’re abusing it … I want to validate what these women are saying, and I feel like he needs a public reckoning in some way, or he’s just going to continue doing this.’ 

She was supported by her husband, Adam Parkhomenko, who took aim at Swalwell following his video denial.

Sammarco claimed that Swalwell set her unsolicited nude photos and ‘became very inappropriate’ over text

Swalwell has denied all allegations against him and has said he will fight the accusations

‘I would just like to reiterate that if Eric Swalwell and his attorney believe any statements that my wife and I have made are not true, he should sue us immediately,’ he wrote on X. 

‘He can DM me, and I’ll let him know where to serve us. But this will never happen.’

Sammarco alleged that Swalwell would ‘drunk text’ her and send her photos of himself in bed or shirtless, along with the nude images. 

‘I truly never thought he would respond – I had like 1,000 followers at the time,’ she told CNN. ‘And he responded.’

The pair went back and forth, eventually exchanging phone numbers and messaging practically every day, she told the outlet. 

Another woman said that Swalwell kissed her and touched her leg without consent.

She said she woke up naked the next morning in his hotel room without realizing it was his, and said she still has flashbacks of the representative grabbing her as she told him ‘no.’

Swalwell has said he plans to ‘fight’ the allegations ‘with everything that I have.’

He addressed his wife of 10 years, Brittany Watts, in the video, saying that he apologized to her ‘deeply for putting her in this position.’

‘I do not suggest to you in any way that I am 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,’ he continued. 

Swalwell has been married to Brittany Watts for a decade. The couple shares three children together

The Congressman apologized to his supporters if any of the allegations had made them doubt their support for him. 

In the wake of the accusations and Swalwell’s staff turning on him, several politicians and public figures have withdrawn their support of him and even called on him to drop out of the race. 

Longtime Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries were among those calling for him to drop out.

A spokesperson for Pelosi said she called for the ‘extremely sensitive allegations’ to be ‘appropriately investigated.’

‘The young woman who has made serious allegations against Congressman Swalwell must be respected and heard,’ she said.

‘Mr. Swalwell should end his campaign and resign from Congress immediately. His conduct is incompatible with elected office. The women who came forward deserve to be heard and deserve justice,’ Bass said.

Swalwell’s attorney, Elias Debaie, told CNN that he ‘intends to continue his campaign,’ despite the calls to drop out, per Politico. 

He plans to spend time with his wife and their three children over the weekend, and Debaie said it is ‘not clear’ when he may return to campaigning. 

Debaie added that the congressman ‘takes accountability for potential lapses in judgment’ but ‘questioned the timing of these allegations, 25 days out from an election.’

Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi urged Swalwell to end his campaign

However, the gubernatorial candidate appeared to suspend fundraising via ActBlue on Friday.  

Politico reported that at least four Swalwell staff members have already abruptly departed.

In their statement, the anonymous staff members said that ‘any decision of staff members to remain in their roles in the interim should not be viewed as support for Eric Swalwell.’

‘Not everyone … can immediately forfeit their income and benefits without significant personal risk or consequence,’ it read.

The Daily Mail has approached Swalwell, Sammarco, Parkhomenko and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for comment.