FBI raids Beverly Hills mansion linked to Stephen Cloobeck in Eric Swalwell probe
FBI raids Beverly Hills mansion of Stephen Cloobeck
Federal agents are searching billionaire donor Stephen Cloobeck's Beverly Hills home in connection with an investigation tied to Eric Swalwell, FOX News reports.
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Federal agents executed a court-ordered search warrant on Tuesday at a Beverly Hills mansion tied to political donor Stephen Cloobeck as part of an active federal inquiry connected to Eric Swalwell.
The enforcement action marks a significant escalation in a multi-jurisdictional investigation examining allegations of sexual assault and misconduct against the former Democratic lawmaker, who resigned from Congress earlier this year.
What we know:
Cloobeck's Beverly Hills estate searched by FBI
Federal agents executed a search warrant at a Beverly Hills estate believed to belong to billionaire political donor Stephen Cloobeck on Tuesday morning to execute an authorized federal search warrant.
The activity is linked to an ongoing federal inquiry surrounding former California Representative Eric Swalwell, whose political standing collapsed following public allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct.
The estate raid follows earlier federal actions against Swalwell. Authorities seized the former congressman's electronic devices at San Francisco International Airport in August and executed a search warrant at his Washington home the following day, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The Daily Mail first reported the confiscation of those devices, which came as federal prosecutors pursued evidence tied to allegations that Swalwell engaged in sexual misconduct.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Eric Swawell accuser alleges she was drugged, raped
- Eric Swalwell drops out amid sex assault allegations
- Swalwell drops CA governor race
Dig deeper:
Swalwell sexual assault allegations
Swalwell, a seven-term lawmaker who represented California's 14th congressional district and briefly launched a 2019 presidential campaign, resigned his seat in Congress and dropped out of the California gubernatorial race in April.
The departure followed claims by a former staffer who stated Swalwell assaulted her twice, including when she worked for him in 2019 and was unable to consent.
Allegations were also brought forward from three additional women describing unsolicited explicit messages, inappropriate photos, unwanted touching, and, in one instance, rape. Additionally, a California woman named Lonna Drewes came forward at an April press conference in Beverly Hills alleging that Swalwell raped her at a hotel in 2018.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Woman accuses Swalwell of drugging, raping her
A woman has come forward to accuse ex-Congressman Eric Swalwell of rape.
Democrat Aisha Wahab won a special election to complete the remainder of Swalwell's congressional term through January.
Big picture view:
Parallel investigations into the claims are also underway at the state and municipal levels.
The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg confirmed an open inquiry after the former staffer stated Swalwell raped her at a New York hotel during a 2024 charity gala, prompting prosecutors to urge witnesses and survivors to contact their Special Victims Division.
What we don't know:
Search details remain under seal
Further details into Tuesday's Beverly Hills operation remain undisclosed because the affidavit supporting the federal search warrant was sealed by the court.
It's unclear what investigators were looking for at the home, or how the property connects to the allegations against Swalwell.
Authorities have not said if the various investigations will lead to immediate criminal charges.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Ex-Swalwell backer: 'I am no longer a Democrat'
Stephen Cloobeck, a former major donor and supporter of Eric Swalwell, expressed disappointment following the allegations against the ex-California gubernatorial candidate.
What they're saying:
Addressing his initial decision to step down from the House, Swalwell stated: "I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make. I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But it's also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress."
What's next:
Federal prosecutors will analyze what was collected across the multiple search warrants, including the electronics taken in San Francisco, files gathered from Washington, and items secured in Beverly Hills.
The Source: This report is based on information provided by FOX News and the Associated Press. Context regarding federal search warrants executed against Eric Swalwell's home and personal electronics was corroborated by a person familiar with the inquiry who spoke on the condition of anonymity with the AP, alongside formal statements issued by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and legal counsel representing complaining witnesses.