FBI searches Beverly Hills home tied to Stephen Cloobeck in Eric Swalwell probe

The search in Beverly Hills

Federal agents searched a home in Beverly Hills early on Tuesday, 27 October, as part of an investigation into former Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democrat from California. According to a law enforcement official and two people familiar with the probe, the house belongs to developer Stephen Cloobeck, founder of the Diamond Resorts timeshare company, where Swalwell had spent time before leaving office in April. The FBI's Los Angeles field office confirmed it was executing a federal search warrant at a mansion listed on Cloobeck's California business filings. A Justice Department spokesperson tied the search to an ongoing criminal investigation and declined to give further details, while the warrant affidavit remains sealed. Asked about the search at Cloobeck's address, FBI spokesperson Lourdes Arocho issued a short statement:

“Early this morning the FBI conducted an operation in the Los Angeles region related to an ongoing criminal investigation. We have no further comment.”

Swalwell's denials and his exit from Congress

Swalwell, 45, was elected in 2012 and served seven terms representing a House district east of San Francisco. He launched a presidential run in April 2019 and ended it a few months later. He was widely seen as one of the leading candidates in California's gubernatorial race until he dropped out after the allegations surfaced. He resigned from Congress in April, and he has denied criminal wrongdoing. His attorney, Sara Azari, has called the accusations false and fabricated.

Cloobeck, a one-time gubernatorial candidate, dropped his own bid and donated more than $1 million to back Swalwell after Swalwell declared his candidacy. Cloobeck later said he had cut ties with Swalwell as the accusations grew, and he told the New York Post in April:

“I am no longer associated with a man that takes advantage of women. I support women's rights.”

Earlier steps and the allegations

In August, federal agents seized Swalwell's electronic devices at San Francisco airport and searched his Washington home. Several probes began after a woman came forward alleging he sexually assaulted her twice, including while she worked for him. The San Francisco Chronicle and CNN first reported those allegations, and CNN reported that three other women alleged various kinds of sexual misconduct, including unsolicited explicit messages or nude photos. The BBC reports one allegation that he raped a woman while she was too intoxicated to respond. A former staffer told CNN and the Chronicle about an alleged rape in a hotel room during a charity gala in New York City.

Open questions

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office says it is also investigating Swalwell over the New York allegation. Messages seeking comment were left for Swalwell's lawyer and for a lawyer who represented Cloobeck in another matter, and the BBC said it had contacted Swalwell's lawyer and the Department of Justice. The sources do not report any charges against Swalwell or Cloobeck.