Ex-Congressman Resigns Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

Ex-Congressman Eric Swalwell Resigns Amid New Allegations

Former California Congressman Eric Swalwell officially resigned from his seat today. This move comes as new and serious allegations of sexual misconduct have surfaced against him. Swalwell stepped down this afternoon, avoiding a potential vote by his colleagues to expel him from the House of Representatives.

New Accuser Comes Forward with Disturbing Claims

The resignation follows claims from a new accuser who alleges Swalwell drugged and assaulted her in 2018. “He raped me. And he choked me. And while he was choking me, I lost consciousness. And I thought I died,” the accuser stated. Her attorney confirmed that a criminal report has been filed against Swalwell in Los Angeles. He also faces a separate sexual assault investigation in New York.

Swalwell Denies Allegations, Cites Political Motives

Swalwell has acknowledged making “mistakes in judgment” in the past but strongly denies the sexual assault allegations. His attorney issued a statement calling the accusations “false, fabricated and deeply offensive.” The statement further described the claims as a “calculated and transparent political hit job” aimed at destroying Swalwell’s reputation after 20 years in public service.

Investigation Underway in Los Angeles

The accuser’s attorney confirmed she filed a report with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. While the District Attorney has not yet officially opened a criminal investigation, the department’s sex crimes division is working with law enforcement. Prosecutors will review the facts and evidence to determine if charges should be filed. The accuser stated her goal is criminal prosecution to achieve accountability.

Fear and Motivation for Coming Forward

The accuser explained her long delay in coming forward. “My delay in taking action against Eric was driven by fear, not doubt,” she said. She cited fear of his political power, his background as an attorney, and his family’s law enforcement ties. Her attorney added that the accuser felt compelled to speak out because Swalwell’s public statements seemed to minimize claims made by other women. The accuser described her experience as being drugged and raped to the point of losing consciousness, believing she might die.

Other Women Reportedly Reached Out

The accuser’s attorney also revealed that at least three other women have contacted her regarding allegations against Swalwell. While the details of these claims are unknown, the accuser hopes her story will encourage others who may have had similar experiences to come forward.

Congressional Dynamics and Power Balance

Swalwell’s resignation, along with Congressman Tony Gonzales’s departure, means the balance of power in the House of Representatives remains unchanged. Both parties lose a member, effectively canceling each other out. This outcome was a concern for House Republican leadership regarding the Gonzales situation. Speaker Johnson had previously stated Gonzales should not seek reelection, but did not call for his resignation at the time, to preserve their slim majority.

Ongoing Investigations and Future Scrutiny

Despite the resignations, the investigations into the behavior of both Swalwell and Gonzales are not necessarily over. There is also anticipation that more members of Congress may face scrutiny for alleged inappropriate behavior, whether sexual or financial, in the coming days and weeks.

Justice Department Addresses Epstein Document Release

In separate news, the acting Attorney General acknowledged a significant error in the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse. “It’s horrible that that happened. It’s horrible and it’s inexcusable,” he stated. He explained that less than 1% of the millions of documents contained errors, with the department working to fix mistakes quickly. He noted that such sensitive victim information is why investigative files are typically not made public, but the Transparency Act required their release.

Ghislaine Maxwell and Potential Pardon

Regarding Ghislaine Maxwell, the acting Attorney General stated he has “no reason to believe the President is considering a pardon.” He indicated that more work is needed to fully understand everything Maxwell knows. He also confirmed that Maxwell’s move to a different facility was for her safety.

Presidential Influence and Executive Power

When asked about who is truly in charge of the Justice Department’s actions, the acting Attorney General emphasized the President’s ultimate authority. “The President is the. We can read Article Two together of the Constitution. It puts the power of the executive in one man, and that’s the President of the United States,” he said. He clarified that the President is the boss of the Attorney General, a principle established since the Constitution’s inception.

Source: LIVE: NBC News NOW – April 14 (YouTube)