Former congressman Eric Swalwell, now facing serious allegations, is accused of raping and assaulting multiple women following nights of excessive drinking. There are also claims that his campaign funneled significant amounts toward alcohol deliveries, particularly during road trips to Las Vegas.
Since 2020, Swalwell’s campaign recorded over 100 expenses with the now-defunct alcohol delivery service, Drizly, which startled even his own team according to federal disclosures.
While some might argue that his spending was legal, his former chief of staff, Alex Evans, remarked that it probably wasn’t the wisest use of donor contributions. “He was fully aware of his actions,” he added.
I mean, the numbers are striking. Swalwell’s expenditures with Drizly represented about a quarter of all payments from various political campaigns to the service since 2019, according to the Federal Election Commission.
His spending, which hit around $6,100, conveniently aligned with his trips to Las Vegas in the summer of 2021. Records show he visited the luxurious Cosmopolitan hotel three times within just ten days that month, racking up thousands in expenses.
During this stretch, he also billed his campaign over $117 for STK Steakhouse and about $439 for another meal at the Aria. His total expenses from this Las Vegas trip surpassed $3,100, including a hefty $940 charge at the Cosmopolitan.
Although Drizly was absorbed into Uber Eats earlier this year, Swalwell’s campaign surprisingly continued to make charges through the app after Drizly’s closure, amassing over $19,000, although it’s unclear how much was spent on food versus alcohol.
A look through his financial filings reveals that Swalwell escalated his alcohol purchases significantly starting in May 2020, peaking at 36 charges to donors by year-end for a total of about $2,405.
Senator Ruben Gallego, who’s been scrutinized for his association with Swalwell, seems to share a taste for alcohol delivery, having billed his campaigns over $800 for similar services between 2022 and 2024.
Ethics analysts pointed out that while campaign spending rules are somewhat broad, the volume of Swalwell’s alcohol expenditures seems questionable. They wonder if this spending aligns with appropriate election law standards.
Even as Swalwell announced a run for governor, his extravagant habits persisted, with reports claiming he dropped around $500,000 on hotels while in Congress.
Separate records indicate Swalwell has reimbursed himself with approximately $219,000 from campaign funds since 2021, covering childcare and other personal expenses while he also frequented conventional liquor stores.
Experts express that while individuals can spend their own money as they please, the real concern lies in how Swalwell utilized campaign funds post his resignation. “It feels like donor money is being misused,” Levinson commented.
In a new filing, Swalwell has identified himself as the financial director of his congressional campaign.
He was once a frontrunner in California’s gubernatorial race, but everything changed with recent allegations of sexual misconduct.
In two alarming reports, multiple women accused him of serious offenses, prompting Swalwell to suspend his campaign and resign from Congress. Investigations by the Department of Justice plus district attorneys from New York and LA are ongoing.
Swalwell has engaged attorney Sarah Azari, who has vehemently denied the allegations, labeling them as unfounded claims targeting his reputation after two decades in public service.
On Tuesday, model Rona Drews, 50, accused Swalwell of raping her after a night filled with drinks. She met him at an event, where he offered business assistance and later invited her to his hotel room. She suspected her drink may have been tampered with, and after becoming incapacitated, she alleged that he assaulted her until she lost consciousness. At that time, Swalwell was married, and his wife was expecting.
Evans remarked, “He fabricated a false narrative to enable this behavior.” He described Swalwell as a master of deception.
