FBI Seizes Evidence from Swalwell Donor’s Beverly Hills Estate in Misconduct Probe

Key points

• FBI agents raided a Beverly Hills mansion connected to Stephen Cloobeck on Tuesday morning, executing a sealed search warrant.
• No arrests were made, and the Justice Department confirmed the action was related to an ongoing criminal investigation but provided no further details.
• Cloobeck, a billionaire and former California gubernatorial candidate, donated over $1 million to Eric Swalwell’s campaign before cutting ties after sexual assault allegations emerged.
• The raid follows previous federal actions in August, including a search of Swalwell’s Washington home and the seizure of his electronic devices at San Francisco International Airport.
• Separate state investigations into Swalwell are ongoing in New York and Los Angeles, with the LA County District Attorney’s sex crimes unit weighing potential charges.

Background

Eric Swalwell, a former Democratic congressman, resigned from Congress and withdrew from the California governor’s race earlier this year after multiple women alleged sexual misconduct, including rape and sending unsolicited nude photographs. Swalwell has denied the accusations, calling them a political hit job. The current FBI action expands the federal probe, which previously focused on Swalwell’s personal devices and residences. Cloobeck’s involvement is significant as he was a major financial backer of Swalwell’s gubernatorial bid before publicly distancing himself from the politician. The broader context includes a complex web of state and federal investigations, with Swalwell also facing probes in New York and Los Angeles regarding the same allegations.

How outlets are covering it

Politico and NBC Los Angeles both confirmed the FBI’s execution of a search warrant at Cloobeck’s Beverly Hills mansion, emphasizing the lack of arrests and the sealed nature of the affidavit. NBC Los Angeles provided additional context on Cloobeck’s recent legal troubles, noting his arrest in May on felony charges for attempting to dissuade witnesses in a case involving his former fiancée, Adva Lavie. BBC focused more on the broader implications for Swalwell, highlighting his denial of wrongdoing and the declassification of unrelated FBI documents regarding a 2015 relationship. While all outlets agree on the factual occurrence of the raid, NBC Los Angeles offered more detail on Cloobeck’s separate criminal issues, whereas BBC emphasized the political fallout for Swalwell.

Why it matters

The FBI’s raid on Cloobeck’s mansion signals an escalation in the federal investigation into Eric Swalwell’s alleged sexual misconduct. As a high-profile Democrat who had become a fixture of cable news and a potential governor, Swalwell’s fall from grace has significant political implications. The involvement of Cloobeck, a major donor, suggests the probe may be uncovering evidence related to the political campaign or personal interactions between the two. The ongoing state investigations in New York and Los Angeles further complicate the legal landscape for Swalwell, potentially leading to criminal charges. This development also highlights the increasing scrutiny of political figures accused of misconduct, with federal and state authorities coordinating efforts to address allegations of sexual violence in public office.

What to watch

The next steps in this case will likely involve the unsealing of court documents related to the FBI’s search warrant, which could reveal the specific evidence sought at Cloobeck’s mansion. The LA County District Attorney’s sex crimes unit is expected to make a decision on whether to bring charges against Swalwell in the coming weeks. Additionally, the outcome of Cloobeck’s separate criminal case regarding witness tampering may influence the federal probe. Swalwell’s legal team will likely continue to deny the allegations, and the case may proceed through state and federal courts in parallel. The political ramifications for the California governor’s race will also be monitored, as Swalwell’s departure opened the door for other Democratic contenders, including Xavier Becerra, to vie for the nomination.