Eric Swalwell’s political career has taken a nosedive due to allegations of rape and sexual assault. Despite this, the former congressman appears to be maintaining a lavish lifestyle, spending substantial amounts on luxury transportation services.
Recent campaign reports from Swalwell’s unsuccessful bid for governor in California reveal that he allocated tens of thousands of campaign dollars last month for transportation and security services, in addition to facing hefty legal fees linked to ongoing investigations regarding his alleged misconduct.
Records indicate Swalwell paid nearly $39,000 to Darley Meyer, a high-end transportation and security firm in North Hollywood. The company, CYD Global Car Services, is known for offering chauffeur services and executive protection.
According to filings, Swalwell’s campaign disbursed about $38,807 to Meyer between April 19 and May 16.
Federal filings from as far back as 2021 show that Swalwell’s various congressional committees and PACs have paid Meyer over $360,000 across different expense categories, which included “security services,” “salaries,” and even reimbursements for flowers and postage.
When contacted, a man who answered Meyer’s phone denied being him and hung up. However, Meyer’s wife mentioned she couldn’t confirm details about their relationship with Swalwell.
Swalwell did not respond to inquiries for comment, and he hasn’t been publicly seen since the allegations came to light.
Reports suggest that Meyer has served as Swalwell’s driver and bodyguard during his visits to Southern California, with Swalwell claiming he has received multiple death threats related to his criticisms of President Trump.
Although Swalwell has refrained from actively campaigning since early April, his expenditures have surged significantly as his situation deteriorated.
From mid-April to mid-May, he spent $273,251 with law firm Sara Azhari, known for vigorously defending him during televised discussions about the allegations. Additionally, he paid another $50,000 to San Francisco law firm Koblenz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP during that same period.
Once considered the Democratic frontrunner in the gubernatorial race, Swalwell had raised over $5.6 million in political contributions before the scandal broke.
A political strategist in Los Angeles expressed disappointment, stating, “It’s tragic that he feels entitled to raise and spend this money,” referring to Swalwell’s attempt to maintain his lifestyle amid controversy.
After Swalwell returned $176,328 in donations, he still had $2.6 million remaining in his campaign account. In a notable turn, the California Democratic Party even returned a $13,000 donation from him on May 5.
Someone familiar with Swalwell’s operations speculated that he might continue to use campaign funds for personal expenses, potentially moving money into a new committee to maintain access after his campaign ends.
He has been known to use campaign funds for various personal expenditures, including travel, lodging, dining, and alcohol.
A Democratic strategist weighed in, noting that while Swalwell’s personal choices have been poor, this pattern seems to continue. They remarked that Swalwell likely understands the backlash he may face but seems focused on leveraging his finances regardless.
In their view, the legality might be questionable, but the morality is certainly lacking.
