California Congressman Eric Swalwell resigned from the conference after being accused of sexual harassment and harassment by several women.
“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff and voters for the mistakes I have made in the past,” Swalwell wrote in a statement shared by X on Monday, April 13. “I will fight the negative, false allegations against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership of the mistakes I have made.
He continued, “I know about the efforts to bring an immediate dismissal vote against me and other members. To expel anyone from Congress without due process, within days of allegations, is not right. But it is also not right for my voters to be distracted from my work. Therefore, I plan to resign from my position in Congress. I will work with my staff, in the coming days, they will be able to help my people, help the right people. The 14th Congressional District.”
Us Weekly contacted Swalwell's director of communications for comment.
Swalwell, 47, is accused of sexual harassment by a former employee in April. The woman, who was 21 when she was hired, told the San Francisco Chronicle that Swalwell tried to approach her while she was working at her district office in Castro Valley, California, in 2019. She alleges that Swalwell sent her pictures of her private parts on Snapchat and then demanded nude photos. The woman also accused Swalwell of rape.
After this woman's allegations hit the headlines, others came up with these allegations. One plaintiff, Ally Sammarcoshe said Swalwell promised to “share her progress” with other congressional offices before sending her “highly inappropriate” Snapchat messages. Some women asked not to be identified because they fear punishment.
Eric Swalwell.
Al Drago/Getty ImagesSwalwell vehemently denied the allegations.
“These allegations are false and come the day before the election that will face the leader who will run for the election,” said the politician's statement. “For almost 20 years, I have worked for the public – as a prosecutor and as a congressman and I have always defended women.”
Despite denying the allegations, Swalwell apologized to his wife, Brittany Wattsmarried to him since 2016.
“I'm not suggesting in any way that I'm perfect or a saint. I've certainly made errors in judgment in the past,” he said in an April social media video. “Those mistakes are between me and my wife. And to her I am very sorry for putting her in this situation.”
Swalwell's staff also released a statement addressing the allegations.
“As leaders of the groups working for Eric Swalwell, we are appalled by the recent reporting in the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN,” they noted. “We stand with my former colleague, and the other women who have come forward. We believe you should stand with them, too. The behavior described in these reports is reprehensible, discredits those who serve in public office and betrays the trust of all Californians.”
Congressman Eric Swalwell, a Democrat who represents California's 14th congressional district, is speaking out against allegations that he sexually assaulted and harassed multiple women, including co-workers, while in office. “A lot has been said about me today with unknown allegations. I thought it was important for you to see and hear from me directly,” said the 45-year-old Congressman. […]
Swalwell was first elected as a member of Congress in 2012 and has represented several districts in Northern California. Swalwell tried to run for president during the 2020 election but ended up dropping out due to low turnout.
Most recently, Swalwell was a front-runner in the race for governor of California but suspended his campaign amid the scandal.
“I am suspending my campaign for Governor,” he wrote in a statement. “To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for the lapses in judgment I have made in the past. I will fight the serious, false allegations made – but that is my fight, not the campaign.”
