Federal Agents Search Beverly Hills Mansion in Swalwell Inquiry
Seven Lights
Federal agents raided a Beverly Hills mansion early Tuesday in the criminal investigation into Eric Swalwell, the former California congressman who resigned his seat in April amid sexual assault and misconduct allegations.
The FBI executed a search warrant at the North Roxbury Drive home of Stephen Cloobeck, a wealthy resort developer and one-time backer of Swalwell’s campaign for governor, a law enforcement official and two people familiar with the inquiry told the Associated Press. Swalwell had spent time at the home before leaving office. Cloobeck was not there when agents arrived.
The search was the latest escalation of the federal probe, which began after a woman came forward alleging that Swalwell sexually assaulted her twice, including when she was a teenager. Three other women have alleged various forms of misconduct, including sending unsolicited explicit messages. Swalwell has denied criminal wrongdoing.
In August, federal agents stopped Swalwell at San Francisco International Airport, seized his electronic devices and searched his Washington home. The Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, has said his office is also examining a claim by a former staffer that Swalwell raped her at a New York hotel during a charity gala.
“We are executing a search warrant,” authorities told the Los Angeles Times, adding that court documents in the matter were sealed. The Justice Department and FBI said in statements only that the bureau “conducted an operation in the Los Angeles region related to an ongoing criminal investigation” and that they had “no further comment.”
Cloobeck, the founder of Diamond Resorts International who ran unsuccessfully for California governor, told the New York Post in April that he had cut ties with the former congressman as the accusations mounted. “I am no longer associated with a man that takes advantage of women,” he said.
Swalwell, a seven-term lawmaker from Dublin, California, who sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, withdrew from the governor’s race and resigned from Congress in April. Court records tied to the investigation remained sealed Tuesday, and no charges were announced.