Federal Agents Search Beverly Hills Mansion Connected to Investigation of Ex-Rep. Eric Swalwell

POLICY WIRE — Washington, United States — Federal law enforcement agents executed a search early Tuesday morning at a Beverly Hills residence as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into former U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell, who stepped down from Congress following a series of sexual misconduct allegations.

According to two individuals with direct knowledge of the inquiry who spoke on condition of anonymity, the targeted property belongs to wealthy developer and political donor Stephen Cloobeck. The former California congressman spent time at this residence prior to his resignation from public office in April.

Representatives for Swalwell did not immediately respond to requests for comment, nor did an attorney who has previously represented Cloobeck in separate legal matters. Federal campaign finance filings indicate that Cloobeck, founder of Diamond Resorts International and a 2025 candidate for California governor, has contributed upwards of $23,000 to Swalwell’s congressional bids since 2017.

Following the emergence of misconduct accusations in April, Cloobeck stated to the New York Post that he severed all ties with the former lawmaker. He declared that he is no longer associated with a man who takes advantage of women and emphasized his ongoing support for women’s rights.

In a separate legal proceeding in May, Cloobeck faced charges of witness intimidation, to which he has entered a plea of not guilty. Online prediction market platform Kalshi also temporarily barred him in August after noting he acquired $10,000 in contracts concerning his brief gubernatorial run.

Tuesday’s search represents the latest escalation in a broad federal inquiry into Swalwell, triggered by initial public accusations from a woman asserting she was sexually assaulted by him on two occasions, including during her tenure as his staffer. Outlets including the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN initially brought these allegations to light, with CNN further reporting that three additional women accused Swalwell of sending unsolicited explicit photos or messages.

Another accuser subsequently came forward, alleging that Swalwell drugged and raped her at a Southern California hotel in 2018 after she consumed a single glass of wine, adding that she intended to file a formal report with law enforcement. FBI spokesperson Lourdes Arocho confirmed that agents carried out an operation in the Los Angeles area tied to an active criminal probe but declined to provide further details.

This action follows an August operation where federal agents searched Swalwell’s Washington residence and confiscated electronic devices from him at the San Francisco airport. Swalwell, originally from Iowa, won election to the House in 2012 representing a district east of San Francisco and mounted a brief presidential campaign in April 2019 before withdrawing due to low voter support.

Before these allegations forced his exit, the seven-term representative was widely viewed as a prominent contender in the California gubernatorial race. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office has confirmed it is similarly reviewing the matter after a former staffer reported that Swalwell raped her inside a hotel room in New York City during a 2024 charity gala, urging other potential victims or witnesses to reach out to its Special Victims Division. Local prosecutors in Los Angeles were also reportedly weighing potential charges.

During his tenure in Congress, Swalwell served as a vocal Democratic critic of Republican President Donald Trump, holding prominent seats on the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees during Trump’s initial term and acting as a House manager during Trump’s second impeachment following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy removed Swalwell from the Intelligence Committee in 2023 over historical contacts with suspected Chinese operative Christine Fang, who interacted with Swalwell’s campaign during his initial 2012 run and aided fundraising in 2014. Federal investigators had previously briefed congressional leaders and warned Swalwell regarding Fang in 2015, prompting him to terminate communication, and a subsequent House Ethics Committee probe closed in 2023 without taking punitive action.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)