Ex-Democratic donor and California gubernatorial hopeful arrested in L.A. area on witness-tampering charges

Former Democratic donor Stephen Cloobeck, a one-time California gubernatorial candidate and longtime Swalwell ally, was arrested in West Hollywood on suspicion of felony charges related to attempting to impede a victim or witness testimony. He was released on $300,000 bail. Cloobeck, a timeshare magnate, had previously backed Swalwell before cutting ties amid sexual assault allegations and his departure from the Democratic Party; he was also blocked from using Kalshi to bet on the California governor’s race.