U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell denied allegations Friday that he sexually assaulted a former employee.
CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle reported that a woman who worked on Swalwell’s staff for almost two years alleged that she had sexual encounters with him and that he had sexually assaulted her two times when she was too intoxicated to consent.
The Castro Valley Democrat called the unidentified woman’s allegations “lies” in a statement.
“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” said Swalwell, who is married and has three children. The primary election for governor is June 2.
“My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies.”
Rep. Eric Swalwell
“For nearly 20 years, I have served the public — as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women,” he said. “I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action.”
“My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies.”
‘He cannot continue’
News of the allegations traveled swiftly, with several of Swalwell’s opponents in the governor’s race calling for him to withdraw immediately.
Tony Thurmond, a Democrat who is the state Superintendent of Public Instruction, said, “We must listen to victims who come forward.”
“Given the gravity of these claims, he cannot continue to serve or maintain the public’s trust,” Thurmond said.
Democrat Betty Yee, a former state controller, called the accusations “sickening.”
“He needs to withdrawal from the governor’s race and resign from Congress, immediately,” she said in a statement.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat, said the allegations were “shocking and reprehensible” and said Swalwell was “unfit” to run for governor.
This story was updated at 7:47 p.m. Friday, April 10, to correct Antonio Villaraigosa’s party affiliation.