Swalwell Issues Legal Warning Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Rep. Eric Swalwell, a candidate for governor in California, has sent a warning letter to someone accusing him of “nonconsensual sexual contact.” This comes after rumors circulated online about his alleged inappropriate actions towards women. The letter, from attorney Elias Dabayer, mentions potential defamation lawsuits against those spreading these claims.

The letter states, “It has been brought to our attention that you have made false statements accusing Mr. Swalwell of sexual assault and non-consensual sexual touching.” This correspondence was shared on social media by Democratic activist Cheyenne Hunt and later confirmed by the Los Angeles Times.

Swalwell’s team emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, particularly since they emerged just 24 days before the election. The letter was reportedly sent to at least two individuals and claimed that the recipient could be liable for defamation.

Hunt and other activists have been accused of spreading rumors suggesting Swalwell has harassed female staffers and coerced them into signing non-disclosure agreements to silence them. Hunt has also referenced an upcoming investigative report into misconduct allegations involving East Bay officials.

This week, Swalwell firmly rejected the allegations, labeling them as “false and outrageous rumors” and asserting he never requested any women to sign NDAs. During an event in Sacramento, he stated, “There has never been a claim and there has never been a settlement.”

When questioned about any sexual relationships with staff or interns, Swalwell firmly responded, “No, no, no, no.”

The controversy has started to create rifts within the Democratic Party, where Swalwell, a prominent candidate backed by significant labor unions and lawmakers, is considered a leading figure in the race.

His opponents, including Katie Porter and Antonio Villaraigosa, quickly condemned him as rumors surfaced. Porter noted, “We’ve seen allegations from female staffers. Those are very disturbing allegations.”

Some party members speculated that Hunt might be aligned with a rival campaign and suggested the rumors were part of a coordinated effort to undermine a top gubernatorial contender.

Recent polls indicated that Swalwell, alongside Tom Steyer and Porter, was leading the field of Democratic candidates. Meanwhile, Steve Hilton, a Republican endorsed by Donald Trump, appears to be performing well, securing nearly 20% support among California voters.