FBI raids Beverly Hills mansion of Swalwell donor in expanded probe

Key points

• FBI executed a search warrant at a Beverly Hills mansion connected to billionaire Stephen Cloobeck, a former donor to Eric Swalwell, on Tuesday morning.
• No arrests were made during the raid, and the affidavit for the search warrant remains sealed according to FBI and Justice Department statements.
• The investigation follows previous federal actions in August, including the seizure of Swalwell's electronic devices at San Francisco International Airport and a raid on his Washington DC home.
• Swalwell resigned from Congress and dropped his California gubernatorial bid after sexual misconduct allegations emerged, including claims of rape and sending unsolicited nude photographs.
• Separate state investigations are underway in New York City and Los Angeles, with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office encouraging survivors to come forward.

Background

Swalwell, a seven-term lawmaker and former Trump antagonist, faced allegations from multiple women, including one who claimed he raped her while she was too intoxicated to respond. He had previously denied wrongdoing, with his attorney calling the accusations 'fabricated' and a 'political hit job.' In August, the White House declassified documents from a separate, unrelated FBI investigation into his 2015 relationship with a suspected Chinese spy, Christine Fang, though he faced no charges related to that matter. His resignation opened the path for other Democratic contenders in the California governor's race, including Xavier Becerra.

How outlets are covering it

BBC and The Guardian emphasized the connection to the ongoing criminal investigation and Swalwell's denial of wrongdoing, noting the FBI's limited comment. NBC Los Angeles highlighted the link to billionaire Stephen Cloobeck, who had previously cut ties with Swalwell and was facing separate felony charges related to witness tampering in a different case. Politico focused on Cloobeck's role as a donor and former gubernatorial candidate, noting he donated over $1 million to Swalwell's campaign before withdrawing support. All sources agreed on the timing and location of the raid but differed in emphasis on the broader political and legal context.

Why it matters

The raid signals an escalation in the federal investigation into Swalwell, potentially impacting the California governor's race and highlighting ongoing scrutiny of political figures accused of sexual misconduct. The involvement of a high-profile donor like Cloobeck adds complexity to the case, while separate state probes in New York and Los Angeles indicate a multi-jurisdictional effort to address the allegations.

What to watch

The outcome of the sealed search warrant and any potential charges from the federal, New York, or Los Angeles investigations will determine the next steps. The California governor's race will proceed with Xavier Becerra facing Republican Steve Hilton in the November 3 general election, as Swalwell's departure has reshaped the Democratic field.