Federal agents seize devices from ex-Rep. Eric Swalwell in sexual misconduct probe, AP source says

FILE - Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., appears at a town hall meeting in Sacramento, Calif., April 7, 2026. Federal agents seized electronic devices from former Rep. Eric Swalwell and searched his Washington home as part of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by the ex-Democratic congressman from California, according to a person familiar with the matter. Swalwell's devices were seized at the San Francisco airport on Saturday, and agents executed a search warrant at his home a day later, said the person, who was not authorized to publicly discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke on the condition of anonymity. A message seeking comment was left Thursday with an attorney for Swalwell, who has denied allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. The Daily Mail first reported the seizure of Swalwell's devices on Thursday. Swalwell announced his resignation from Congress in April following allegations that he had sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him. Three other women alleged various kinds of sexual misconduct by Swalwell, including sending unsolicited explicit messages or nude photos. The seven-term lawmaker had been seen as one of the leading candidates in California's gubernatorial race before dropping out after the allegations surfaced. The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg confirmed in April that it was investigating Swalwell after a former staffer told CNN and the Chronicle that Swalwell raped her at a hotel in New York City during a charity gala in 2024. A lawyer representing Lonna Drewes, a California woman who said she was raped in 2018 by Swalwell, said his team was cooperating with law enforcement. Swalwell denied the assault. Swalwell, an Iowa native, was elected in 2012 and represented a House district east of San Francisco. He launched a presidential run in April 2019 but ended it after failing to gain voter support. He was a prominent member of the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees during President Donald Trump's first term and served as one of several Democratic prosecutors for Trump's second impeachment after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Swalwell was removed from the Intelligence Committee in 2023 due to his contact with Christine Fang, a suspected Chinese spy, during his 2012 campaign. California lawmaker Aisha Wahab won a special election to replace Swalwell in Congress, ending his term in January.