The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into sexual assault allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell of California, a major escalation in a controversy that has already upended his bid for governor.
The DA’s office confirmed Saturday that its Special Victims Division is investigating allegations reported this week by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN, including one accusation tied to an incident that allegedly occurred in New York City.
In a statement, the Manhattan DA’s office said it was urging “survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations” to contact prosecutors, adding that specially trained staff are prepared to handle the matter in a trauma‑informed way.
The investigation marks the first confirmation of a potential criminal review stemming from allegations that Swalwell has denied but which have rapidly reshaped California’s gubernatorial race.
Allegation tied to New York incident under review
One of the allegations under investigation involves a former staffer who told the Chronicle and CNN that Swalwell sexually assaulted her in a New York hotel room following an awards event in 2024. The woman alleged she was heavily intoxicated and unable to consent, and that she told Swalwell to stop.
The woman was not named in the Chronicle report. CNN said she was one of four women who came forward with allegations of misconduct, including claims that Swalwell sent unsolicited explicit photos and messages to other women.
The Manhattan DA’s office did not identify Swalwell by name in its statement, but confirmed that it is investigating an allegation reported publicly that occurred in New York City.
Swalwell’s attorney, Elias Dabaie, has denied the allegations and characterized them as a coordinated political attack.
“We believe these allegations are baseless and will continue to seek the truth,” Dabaie said in a written statement earlier this week.
Prosecutors have not said whether charges are imminent, and officials emphasized that the investigation is in its early stages. Swalwell has not been charged with any crime.
How the Manhattan DA investigation works
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said the case is being reviewed by its Special Victims Division, which handles allegations of sexual assault and other crimes involving vulnerable victims.
At this stage, the investigation does not mean charges have been filed. Instead, prosecutors are gathering information to determine whether a crime occurred and whether the office has enough evidence — and jurisdiction — to bring charges under New York law.
That process can include interviewing accusers and potential witnesses, reviewing messages, travel records and other documents, and assessing whether the alleged conduct meets the legal standard for criminal prosecution. Investigators may also evaluate timelines, consent issues, and corroborating evidence.
Prosecutors emphasized that the division operates using a trauma‑informed, survivor‑centered approach, and urged anyone with knowledge of the allegations to come forward.
If prosecutors determine there is sufficient evidence, the office could seek charges. If not, the investigation could be closed without further action. Officials have not provided a timeline for that decision.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Manhattan DA investigation deepens crisis for Eric Swalwell campaign
Reporting by James Ward, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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