Greater than 50 former staffers have claimed surprising sexual assault allegations in opposition to California gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell are “severe” and “credible.”
The ex-employees launched a shocking joint letter calling on him to crash out of politics as his profession was burned to the bottom by the claims from 4 girls, together with a former aide who alleges he raped her.
It comes because the Home is teed up for a bitter tit for tat struggle as Republicans push to oust him and Democrats plot revenge assaults on GOPers with equally shady scandals.
In the meantime the Division of Homeland safety revealed Sunday it had launched an investigation into claims Swalwell saved his live-in Brazilian nanny within the US illegally.
The letter, which was made public on Sunday, mentioned: “The allegations reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN are severe, credible, and demand accountability.
“We stand unequivocally with our colleague, who confirmed extraordinary braveness in coming ahead to share her reality. We consider her.”
It continued: “Remaining in both function whereas these allegations dangle unresolved is an insult to each one who has ever labored for him, reported to him, or positioned their belief in him.”
It added: “Any determination of employees members to stay of their roles within the interim shouldn’t be seen as help for Eric Swalwell.
“We acknowledge that not everybody — specifically our junior employees — can instantly forfeit their earnings and advantages with out vital private danger or consequence.”
Swalwell’s popularity is in free fall after 4 girls on Friday accused the congressman of sexual misconduct, together with alleged rape.
One of many girls, a former staffer, claimed he raped her when she was drunk and left her bruised and bleeding in the course of the alleged 2024 assault in New York. The Manhattan DA has launched an investigation.
One other lady alleged she additionally awoke subsequent to him in a lodge room after a drunken evening out, including he allegedly kissed her and touched her leg with out consent.
Swalwell has fiercely denied the allegations, saying alongside a video he posted on Friday they’re “flat false.”
He and his lawyer have alluded to the timing of allegations being suspicious, a part of a much bigger political play to convey him down in a race the place he was a number one Democratic candidate.
One other unsigned letter from present staffers was launched on Saturday, denouncing the alleged actions of the congressman.
That letter referred to as for understanding for workers members that needed to keep within the job for monetary causes. Since Friday, Swalwell’s marketing campaign has imploded.
Shut political allies have turned their backs on him, together with fellow congressmen that helped construct his marketing campaign and vouch for him. Labor unions and different organizations have withdrawn their endorsements.
Gavin Newsom launched an announcement to The Publish on Sunday however didn’t name for the Democrat to step down.
He mentioned: “As we proceed to study extra, these allegations from a number of sources are deeply troubling and should be taken severely.”
The scandal has arrange a brutal struggle in Congress as Republicans and Democrats plot shootouts over Swalwell and different colleagues with murky pasts.
Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna mentioned she would power a Home flooring vote this coming week to take away him.
However Home Democratic Chief Hakeem Jeffries and others are anticipated to counter with a transfer to expel Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales, who has been embroiled in a sexual scandal as effectively.
A staffer whom Gonzales allegedly had an affair with dedicated suicide.
Gonzales has admitted to the affair however insisted “I had completely nothing to do along with her tragic passing.” He dropped his reelection bid in response.
The tit-for-tat expulsions may additionally develop to a different Democrat and one other Republican in Congress. Florida Republican Rep. Cory Mills has been linked to a report of an assault on a lady.
And Democratic Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has been indicted and is accused of embezzling $5 million of federal catastrophe cash.
Each have denied wrongdoing.
Right here’s the most recent on the allegations in opposition to Rep. Eric Swalwell
Extra authorized bother might be on the way in which after the California Publish reported on a grievance alleging he employed a Brazilian nanny beneath the desk for numerous years.
That grievance was referred to the Division of Homeland Safety for an investigation, Politico reported.
Even earlier than the accusations, Swalwell has been dogged by numerous points. He confronted questions over his residency in California, the place he claimed to lease out of a Livermore dwelling. However the Publish went and visited neighbors who mentioned they couldn’t determine him.
Swalwell was additionally scrutinized for experiences that he repeatedly pitched his AI startup, Findraiser, to fellow Home Democrats and political operatives by way of texts, emails and in-person outreach.
His funds had been beneath heavy duress, tax information appear to point. Swalwell dipped into his retirement financial savings and postponed his tax funds.
He has additionally consistently used marketing campaign funds to reimburse for baby care, together with throughout this governor’s race, state information present.
The final word blow, nonetheless, had been the sexual allegations. Rumors about them swirled for per week earlier than the Friday experiences, when influencers on social media claimed they might be developing.
Even again then, Swalwell projected confidence that these claims had been all simply political assaults. He mentioned at a April 7 city corridor that the rumors had been “false.”
“There has by no means been an allegation and there has by no means been a settlement,” mentioned Swalwell.
But his claims that he didn’t use any non-disclosure settlement — a reasoning given for why the victims haven’t come ahead till now — had been contradicted by experiences of a staffer who shared they did use such agreements.
