Manhattan DA reportedly opens sex assault investigation into Swalwell

The Manhattan district attorney's office has reportedly opened an investigation into Democratic U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, who is running for governor in California, after several women accused the congressman of sexual assault and misconduct.

The office is investigating an allegation that Swalwell assaulted a woman in New York City in 2024, The New York Times reported. The accusation being investigated comes from a former staff member, according to The Washington Post.

CNN also confirmed the investigation, which comes a day after the outlet reported a former Swalwell staffer had accused him of having sex with her when she was unable to consent.

USA TODAY has contacted the Manhattan district attorney's office for comment, but has not heard back.

Swalwell, the leading Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner in the polls, denied the claims and said the allegations are false in a late-night video posted on social media April 10.

Members of his congressional and campaign senior staff issued a joint statement April 11 to several media outlets saying that they were "horrified" by the allegations.

“We stand with our former colleague, and the other women who have come forward. We believe you should stand with them, too,” the statement said. “The behavior detailed in these reports is abhorrent, beneath the dignity of those serving in public office and betrays the trust of all Californians.”

Prior to that, several national politicians had withdrawn their support from Swalwell and urged him to drop out of the California governor's race after The San Francisco Chronicle and CNN reported April 10 on the sexual assault claim. CNN also reported on the claims by three other women who said Swalwell was sexually inappropriate with them and sent them unsolicited explicit messages or nude photos.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement she has advised Swalwell to step aside as a gubernatorial candidate to replace Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who will term out in 2027.

"The young woman who has made serious allegations against Congressman Swalwell must be respected and heard. This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability," Pelosi said. "As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign."

Also among those calling on Swalwell to drop out of the California governor's race are Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, whip Rep. Katherine Clark, of Massachusetts, and caucus chair Rep. Pete Aguilar, of California. They are also calling for a probe into the claims by the ex-staffer and three other women.

Swalwell, 45, was first elected to Congress in 2012, representing a northern California district just outside of Oakland, where he was a prosecutor in Alameda County. Swalwell was also a long-shot candidate in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries before dropping out and endorsing the eventual winner, Joe Biden.

Contributing: Terry Collins and Noe Padilla

Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at  mikegsnider  &  @mikegsnider.bsky.social  &  @mikesnider & [email protected].