Swalwell’s Campaign Fund Spending Under Scrutiny
Eric Swalwell’s lavish use of donor campaign funds has come to light again, this time highlighting a hefty $40,000 he paid to a Los Angeles attorney to aid in his defense against sexual assault allegations that surfaced on a television platform.
Reportedly, Swalwell tapped into funds from his unsuccessful California gubernatorial campaign to cover a significant payment to attorney Sara Azhari, who focuses on “allegations of sexual misconduct in the post-#MeToo landscape,” according to a report by California Post.
Azhari defended Swalwell during an interview with NewsNation, where she controversially claimed that the alleged victims were merely ashamed about their consensual relationship with him. She remarked, “Repent is not rape.”
“Just because, years later, you might feel regret over what you did, or even if you were in a situation that you shouldn’t have been in, doesn’t automatically qualify it as rape,” she explained during her segment, where she has a contributor role as well.
Azhari emphasized that this isn’t merely about Swalwell’s alleged actions but showcased his accountability in defending himself while representing his district despite the serious allegations against him.
However, Azhari’s defense did little to bolster Swalwell’s political standing, as his career has dimmed following various allegations, including claims from a model in Los Angeles who alleged Swalwell drugged, raped, and strangled her in a hotel.
Criminal investigations have been initiated in both Los Angeles and New York, with the Department of Justice also looking into the accusations.
Swalwell firmly denies all criminal charges but acknowledges some “misjudgments” from his past.
It seems that the former congressman has a tendency to use campaign donor money for luxury purchases. After withdrawing from the gubernatorial race, he reportedly spent a large portion of his congressional campaign funds on hotels, meals, drinks, and babysitting.
As outlined by campaign finance laws, funds collected before a campaign is called off should be allocated for specific reasons, like handling office expenses or making donations to other candidates or charities.
In the initial quarter of this year alone, Democrats collectively spent over $75,000 from their congressional campaigns. A review from the New York Post showed Swalwell’s expenditures included thousands on travel, food, and rideshare services.
Since these allegations came to light, Swalwell has mostly been absent from the public eye, heightened by his attorney’s presence. Recently, news surfaced that his family was spotted at a luxury resort in Mexico, even though Swalwell himself was not in attendance.
