## DOJ Opens Criminal Investigation into Sexual Assault Allegations Against Former Rep. Eric Swalwell
The U.S. Department of Justice has escalated the scandal surrounding former Congressman Eric Swalwell by opening a federal criminal investigation into multiple sexual assault and misconduct allegations. This move adds a powerful new layer of legal jeopardy for the former California representative, who has already been forced to resign from the House and suspend his gubernatorial campaign under intense bipartisan pressure.

The investigation follows a House Ethics Committee probe into claims that Swalwell engaged in sexual misconduct, including toward a staffer under his supervision. His resignation effectively closed the congressional ethics review, but the DOJ's entry signals a shift to a more serious criminal inquiry. This federal action runs parallel to an ongoing local investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office into an alleged 2024 sexual assault.

The DOJ's involvement transforms a political scandal into a potential criminal case, raising significant legal risks for Swalwell. It also underscores the lasting institutional and reputational fallout from the allegations, which have already ended his congressional career and political ambitions in California. The dual-track investigations by federal and local prosecutors indicate a coordinated, multi-jurisdictional effort to examine the full scope of the misconduct claims.
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- **Source**: ZeroHedge
- **Sector**: The Office
- **Tags**: DOJ, Sexual Assault, Congress, Investigation, Ethics
- **Credibility**: unverified
- **Published**: 2026-04-17 00:22:36
- **ID**: 68374
- **URL**: https://whisperx.ai/en/intel/68374