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U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., released a video Friday evening strongly denying the sexual assault allegations against him, calling the allegations “false” and “totally false.”
Swalwell, the front-runner in the Democratic Alliance’s California gubernatorial race, is accused by a former employee of sexually assaulting her while drunk on multiple occasions. I bomb threat, including reports of sexual harassment of other female employees, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday.
The unnamed female suspect, who reportedly worked for Swalwell for almost two years, said she followed him shortly after he was hired as a 21-year-old employee at his district office – despite being married.
“A lot has been said about me today with anonymous allegations and I thought it was important for you to see and hear from me directly. These allegations of sexual harassment are blatant lies,” Swalwell said in a video on social media. “They are two lies, they never happened, they never happened. And I will fight them with everything I have.”
PELOSI, CALIFORNIA FILES SWALWELL OVER SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS: ‘INCERTAIN’
Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., is accused of sexually assaulting a former woman. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The suspect accused Swalwell of pressuring him to send her nude photos, adding that he sent her sexual images. He also said that it is suspected that he pulled out her genitals while he was driving with her and asked her to perform oral sex on him.
Several times, the young worker said he passed out on alcohol before waking up naked in Swalwell’s hotel bed with signs of sex. Swalwell is said to have distanced himself after the incident and their relationship ended.
The woman said they met again when she was no longer working, and another incident occurred.
SWALWELL’S FEMALE EMPLOYEE DENIES SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS, REVEALS HERSELF: REPORT
In the video, Swalwell said he’s not “perfect” or a “saint,” but his past “mistakes in judgment” are between him and his wife. He then apologized for “putting it up.” [his wife] in this position.”
California Congressman Eric Swalwell raises his hand before speaking at the California Democratic Party State Convention in San Francisco, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
He also apologized to his supporters for doubting their support, but that apology was quickly followed by, “I think you know who I am.”
“For more than 20 years, I have served the community as a city councilman, as a member of Congress, and as a prosecutor who went to court on behalf of victims, especially victims of sexual assault,” Swalwell said. “That’s me and I’ve been.”
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The allegations prompted a number of Swalwell’s top Democratic supporters to withdraw their endorsement for governor, with some even urging him to drop out of the race altogether.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., discussed sexual harassment allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., in the final round of the 2026 California gubernatorial primary. (Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images ; Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images ; Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)
As of Saturday morning, Swalwell remains in the gubernatorial race in California.
Alec Shemmel of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
