Rep. Eric Swalwell has been lacking votes in Congress whereas hanging out at his wealthy bro’s $23.4 million Beverly Hills mansion whereas he runs for California governor, The Publish can reveal.
Swalwell’s cozy relationship with Las Vegas timeshare mogul Stephen Cloobeck — who had a scandalous fallout with an OnlyFans ex-girlfriend and refers back to the congressman as his “Little Brother” — is drawing scrutiny on a number of fronts.
Social media posts seem to indicate Swalwell has frolicked at Cloobeck’s palatial 9,700-square-foot property on 10 totally different days since September.
Throughout this time, Swalwell posted movies of himself at Cloobeck’s residence on three days wherein he missed votes on the Home ground, in response to congressional information.
The hooky from work to hang around with the wealthy and well-known is a part of a sample for Swalwell, who missed extra votes final 12 months than any lively member of Congress — much more votes than the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva of Arizona, who died in March 2025.
A overview of Swalwell’s Instagram reveals he has used the identical identifiable rooms inside Cloobeck’s mansion to conduct TV interviews and put up movies on social media.
The mansion itself has been featured in architectural publications for its opulent design.
The double-gated property has seven loos, six bedrooms — together with two grasp suites — and a tennis courtroom.
Swalwell’s social media posts present him on the Beverly Hills palace with constant backdrops, together with a big sq. yellow summary portray and a grey stone artwork wall.
Cloobeck, who just lately confirmed a few of Swalwell’s visits to the mansion in an interview with Politico, saying of 1 televised hit: “That’s my backdrop. Mi casa, su casa.”
Elizabeth Ashford, a Democratic political advisor, stated that Swalwell’s social media posts create “unhealthy optics” for his gubernatorial marketing campaign.
“It reinforces the narrative that he’s skipped votes — a whole lot of votes — and within the case of ‘The place’s Waldo,’ or ‘The place’s Swalwell,’ he’s popping up somewhere else when he’s alleged to be doing his job,” Ashford stated.
“And that begs a solution.”
One query is why Swalwell would want to remain at Cloobeck’s casa.
The Bay Space congressman’s neighbors in Livermore couldn’t establish Swalwell when The Publish confirmed them his image, regardless of Swalwell claiming to have lived on the quiet cul-de-sac since 2017.
“I’ve by no means seen him,” stated Gita Prusty, who’s lived on the road for 5 years.
Marketing campaign information present Swalwell has spent 1000’s of {dollars} on luxurious resort rooms in and round his district.
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Swalwell’s marketing campaign, which didn’t reply to The Publish’s requests for remark, has refused to supply any documentation on a lease settlement or month-to-month funds for the three-bedroom home, which is simply 1,350 sq. toes and in addition residence to a different household.
“I actually can’t work out what’s happening with Eric Swalwell,” stated Steve Hilton, a Republican candidate for governor.
“He clearly has no real interest in his present job, as a result of he missed extra votes than a member of Congress who died.”
“He clearly doesn’t have any actual curiosity in California both, as a result of he lives in one other state.”
On Friday, a Sacramento choose tentatively struck down a lawsuit difficult Swalwell’s California residency claims.
A listening to continues to be anticipated to happen Monday.
One other potential difficulty with Swalwell’s keep at Cloobeck’s palace is whether or not it’s applicable for a congressman to be receiving free stays and presents — politically and personally — from an ardent marketing campaign supporter.
Cloobeck not solely is a max donor to Swalwell’s governor marketing campaign, however he’s additionally given $1 million to a committee supporting Swalwell’s run for governor and is utilizing sources from his personal short-lived governor marketing campaign final 12 months to assist the congressman.
Cloobeck advised Politico his endorsement of Swalwell’s run for governor was a “merger” of campaigns earlier than later dismissing his phrases as “tongue in cheek” and “enterprise bravado.”
Nonetheless, Cloobeck’s marketing campaign spent hundreds of thousands on political analysis, and he claimed, “[Swalwell] has all my due diligence, all my analysis, every little thing,” earlier than later clarifying there was “no knowledge dump.”
Cloobeck didn’t reply to requests for remark.
On prime of Cloobeck’s political spending, congressional reward studies present the timeshare mogul spent $31,000 on a visit flying Swalwell out to Good, France.
Cloobeck has a popularity for eccentric, if not unstable, conduct.
Past a nasty breakup with an OnlyFans creator, a claimed in a lawsuit to be associates with Cloobeck for a decade earlier than they began courting, accused Cloobeck of happening a “psychotic break” fueled by medicine and alcohol, together with ketamine, in response to a report by the San Francisco Commonplace.
Clobeck defended himself by making a crude remark in regards to the girl’s sexual efficiency to a Vainness Truthful reporter.
The lawsuit was later dismissed, and a settlement was reportedly reached.
Inside Cloobeck’s mansion, the decor contains a big picture in his workplace depicting a person hoisting a Ku Klux Klan member in a noose — a chunk he has used to sign his solidarity.
“See why I’m a Democrat?” Cloobeck advised The Commonplace.
Swalwell has not solely missed votes whereas posting movies of visits to Cloobeck’s residence, however he additionally posted movies on Instagram of himself on the residence throughout the federal government shutdown in October.
The Publish discovered social media posts throughout Swalwell’s marketing campaign rollout in November, one other marketing campaign cease in December after which once more over a number of days in January.
Micah Beasley, a spokesperson for Swalwell’s marketing campaign, advised Politico: “The marketing campaign is grateful to have Stephen Cloobeck’s help on this race.”
