The bad news keeps piling up for former California congressman Eric Swalwell.
Days after the White House declassified FBI files detailing the disgraced Democrat’s contacts and sexual encounters with suspected Chinese agent Christine Fang, also known as Fang Fang, came news Thursday that federal agents seized Mr. Swalwell’s electronic devices and searched his home.
Sources familiar with the operation say agents grabbed his electronic devices Saturday at San Francisco International Airport and searched his Washington, D.C., home Sunday after executing a warrant, the Associated Press, CNN, and other media report.
Asked to confirm the actions, the FBI told The Washington Star the bureau “declines to comment.”
The San Francisco Chronicle and CNN reported Friday, April 10, that a former staffer alleged the then-congressman raped her, leaving her with bruises and bleeding. Three other women said they experienced various forms of sexual misconduct by the seven-term House member, including being sent unsolicited nude photos or explicit messages.
Mr. Swalwell — then a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination for California governor — rebuffed the claims. “For nearly 20 years, I have served the public — as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women,” he told CNN. “I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action. My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies.”
He suspended his campaign for governor Sunday, April 12, announced his resignation from Congress the next day, and left office April 14.
The former lawmaker and his attorney did not immediately respond to the Star’s requests for comment. Some Republican lawmakers reacted quickly to the reports.
“I have said repeatedly that accountability cannot begin and end with resignations. Eric Swalwell does not get to resign his way out of accountability. If these allegations are substantiated and laws were broken, he should face the full consequences. A resignation letter is not immunity,” Florida Congresswoman Kat Cammack posted.
Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, another Florida Republican, said, “Eric Swalwell was placing spies in Congressional offices. He was enabling a Chinese spy to access members of Congress, etc. Congress should require background checks on all of their staff. It’s time to bring Kat Cammack’s bill to the floor.”
