It was an open secret among the political class—except, apparently, to those who knew him best.
Democrats who once described their closeness with former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D., Calif.) now say they are shocked by the string of sexual misconduct allegations against him—including rape—that ended his gubernatorial campaign and led to his resignation from Congress. The professions of ignorance come as reporters, former Capitol Hill staffers, and other political insiders say Swalwell’s alleged treatment of women has been an open secret in the nation’s Capitol.
“The whole thing is just shocking and deeply upsetting and I think he made the right decision to resign,” said Sen. Adam Schiff (D., Calif.), who endorsed Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign in February, describing the California congressman as “my friend.” Schiff chaired the House Intelligence Committee from 2019 to 2023 at a time when Swalwell served as a member of the panel.
“I know the Golden State will be in good hands with Eric Swalwell,” Schiff said in the video.
Billionaire Stephen Cloobeck was a close friend and roommate of Swalwell’s who just weeks ago described the disgraced ex-congressman as a “little brother” in an interview, scoffing at rumors of his inappropriate conduct with women.
Cloobeck and Swalwell have known each other for a decade, Cloobeck said on his podcast last year.
“We became fast friends. Like, fast friends,” Cloobeck told listeners.
“You’ve taught me a lot. I hope I’ve taught you a few things,” Swalwell added.
“You’ve taught me a couple of things, too,” Cloobeck replied. “We’ve learned a lot from each other. Our families are very close. Very, very close.”
In 2024, Cloobeck paid over $30,000 for Swalwell’s private flights to Nice, France, according to Swalwell’s finance disclosure. It is unclear who accompanied the pair on the trip. Cloobeck did not respond to a request for comment.
Cloobeck said Tuesday that he was “blown away” by the allegations and claimed to have told Swalwell, while evicting him from his mansion, “I’m disappointed and disgusted, now get the fuck out of here.”
NEW: Billionaire Stephen Cloobeck says he threw Rep. Eric Swalwell out of his Beverly Hills home after “busting his trust” — amid sexual assault allegations Swalwell denies.
Swalwell has since dropped out of the governor’s race and resigned.
“You don’t exist in my life.” pic.twitter.com/TzFzfMvx5K
— Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) April 14, 2026
In addition to kicking Swalwell out of his mansion, the billionaire is now seeking to claw back the $1 million he donated to an outside group that supported Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign.
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D., Ariz.), whom Swalwell called his “best friend in the world,” claimed to have no knowledge of Swalwell’s behavior. He acknowledged that he had heard rumors that the California Democrat was merely “flirty” with women.
“Eric Swalwell lied to all of us—lied to the most powerful people in this country—and they trusted him,” Gallego said at a press conference Tuesday.
“Look, we socialized. We went out. But I never saw him engage in any of the predatory behavior, harassment, sexual assault or even like anything that,” Gallego said. “I’m sorry that we didn’t listen closer.”
Gallego, who divorced his first wife when she was nine months pregnant, added: “I let this man into my family … it hurts me that this man hurt a lot of people.”
Some Republicans cast doubt on Gallego’s denial. Rep. Mike Lawler (R., N.Y.) noted on social media that Swalwell and Gallego were roommates for several years in Washington.
“Are we to seriously believe that you didn’t know or witness anything about the ‘double life’ [Swalwell] was living?” asked Lawler.
Swalwell and Gallego traveled together on a 2021 lobbyist-funded trip to the oil-rich Gulf monarchy of Qatar, where they were photographed shirtless riding camels in Qatari desert.
Other well-connected Democrats who maintained close ties to Swalwell have also said this week they were completely unaware of the allegations.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.), who has maintained a close relationship with Swalwell and facilitated his ascension in the Democratic Party, said this week she had no knowledge of Swalwell’s alleged sexual misconduct even after she defended Swalwell in 2020 following revelations that he had a years-long sexual relationship with Fang Fang, a Chinese intelligence officer.
“I don’t have any concern about Mr. Swalwell,” she said in December 2020. Pelosi, then speaker of the House, reappointed Swalwell in March 2021 to the House Intelligence Committee, overriding Republican calls to remove him from the panel over national security concerns.
In January 2021, Pelosi appointed Swalwell to serve as one of nine House members to preside over impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.
Swalwell’s attorney, Sara Azari, said in a statement Tuesday that the allegations are a “calculated and transparent political hit job designed to destroy the reputation of a man who has spent twenty years in public service.”
“Eric Swalwell categorically and unequivocally denies each and every allegation of sexual misconduct and assault that has been leveled against him,” Azari said. “These accusations are false, fabricated, and deeply offensive.”
District attorneys in Los Angeles and Manhattan launched criminal probes this week into the allegations.
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