FBI seizes former Rep. Swallwell's phone, devices as part of criminal probe, sources say
The FBI seized former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell's electronic devices as part of an ongoing criminal probe, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Swalwell was served with a search warrant for his cellphone and other electronic devices while he was at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday night, according to sources, and agents served a search warrant at his Washington, D.C., home on Sunday.
Swalwell resigned from Congress in April after being accused of sexual misconduct and was about to face efforts by his colleagues to have him expelled from the House.
Swalwell had suspended his campaign for California governor the day before after the San Francisco Chronicle reported that an ex-staffer alleged that he sexually assaulted her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent.
The House Ethics Committee announced the same day that it was investigating the allegations against him.
Lonna Drewes said in a news conference after Swalwell's resignation that he raped her in 2018 and believes he drugged her drink when the two were planning to attend a political event.
Drewes is one of at least six women who have made allegations of sexual misconduct against Swalwell.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced it is launching an investigation into Drewes' allegations against Swalwell.
Swalwell has denied the allegations.
In a statement posted on X announcing that he intended to resign from Congress, Swalwell said that he was “deeply sorry” to his family, staff and constituents but that “he will fight the serious, false allegation made against me.”
"I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong,” Swalwell said. “But it's also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress."
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is also investigating allegations against Swalwell, a source familiar with the investigation told ABC News.
