Why is Manhattan investigating Eric Swalwell? What we know about probe

Following sexual assault allegations, Rep. Eric Swalwell is now under investigation in Manhattan.

The congressman, who this weekend suspended his campaign for California governor, has said that he intends to "fight the serious, false allegations that have been made."

Here is why an investigation against the California representative is now underway across the country in NYC.

Who is Eric Swalwell?

Swalwell was first elected to Congress in 2012, representing a northern California district in the San Francisco Bay Area after working as a prosecutor in Alameda County.

The 45-year-old also ran in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, eventually dropping out and endorsing former president Joe Biden.

Swalwell then began a campaign for California governor and was a frontrunner for Democrats in polling.

Over the past few days, however, allegations of sexual assault and misconduct have come out against Swalwell. He announced his exit from the race Sunday, April 12 amid the allegations.

Swalwell has vigorously denied the allegations, which were first reported by The San Francisco Chronicle and CNN.

"I am suspending my campaign for Governor. To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past."

"I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made - but that's my fight, not the campaign's," the statement on X read

Eric Swalwell allegations

The San Francisco Chronicle and CNN both reported on a sexual assault claim from a former staffer of Swalwell.

CNN also reported on three other women that accused the congressman of sexual misconduct.

The former staffer, who worked with Swalwell for almost two years, alleged that she had multiple sexual encounters with the representative while working for him.

She also says that that he sexually assaulted her twice, and she "was too intoxicated to consent," reporting by the San Francisco Chronicle said.

Why is Swalwell being investigated in NYC?

The staffer said that in 2024, she attended an award ceremony in New York, where Swalwell was being recognized.

Before and after the event, she had met with Swalwell.

After multiple drinks with him throughout the night, her memory began to dissipate.

She recalled few memories in her recounting to the SF Chronicle, including flashes of him on top of her in his hotel room and her telling him "No."

She then woke up the next morning in the hotel room, which she claims was the Times Square Edition hotel.

Swalwell is now reportedly under investigation by the Manhattan district attorney's office.

On Saturday, the office urged possible victims and "anyone with knowledge of these allegations” to reach out to the Special Victims Division, according to the New York Times.

“Our specially trained prosecutors, investigators, and counselors are well-equipped to help you in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered manner.”