Federal agents searched a Beverly Hills mansion tied to a political donor as part of an ongoing criminal probe into former Representative Eric Swalwell, underscoring the investigation’s reach and seriousness.
Story Highlights
- FBI searched a Beverly Hills mansion linked to donor Stephen Cloobeck in the Swalwell probe.
- Agents earlier seized Swalwell’s phone and laptop and searched his Washington, D.C. home.
- CNN reports multiple women made allegations; one former staffer alleged rape in 2024.
- Court filings point to a possible federal civil-rights theory under color of authority.
Federal Actions Show a Wide-Ranging Inquiry
CNN reported that federal agents seized Eric Swalwell’s electronic devices at San Francisco International Airport and searched his Washington, D.C. home the next day. Later, agents executed a search at a Beverly Hills property connected to Stephen Cloobeck, a wealthy donor linked to Swalwell’s past political efforts. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed it conducted an operation in the Los Angeles region related to an ongoing criminal investigation, while declining further detail. These steps signal a sustained federal effort.
The Los Angeles Times reported that court filings identified a white iPhone and a MacBook Pro as target devices and referenced an inquiry into potential willful deprivation of constitutional rights by a person acting under official authority. That points to a civil-rights theory sometimes used when officials allegedly abuse power. The public record has not disclosed the affidavit or full warrant details, so the precise evidence or timeline remain under seal. Searches and seizures reflect investigative steps, not findings of guilt.
Allegations From Multiple Women Anchor the Case
CNN reported that a former staffer alleged Swalwell raped her in 2024 after she had left his office, stating she was heavily intoxicated and unable to consent. CNN also said three other women described alleged misconduct, including unsolicited explicit messages or nude photographs. Four women told CNN that the FBI contacted them in connection with the probe. The Associated Press and local outlets tied the Beverly Hills search to a mansion associated with donor Stephen Cloobeck and noted Swalwell had spent time there, according to AP-based reporting.
Swalwell has publicly denied the allegations in earlier coverage, and his attorney has rejected claims of nonconsensual conduct; those denials appeared in several outlets this year. This article centers on the law-enforcement actions reported this week. No public charges have been filed. Authorities often keep sexual-assault investigations confidential to protect potential victims and to avoid tainting evidence while they gather records and witness statements.
Why Federal Agents Might Be Involved
Sexual-assault cases often begin at the local level, but federal authorities can step in when potential federal crimes or civil-rights issues are at stake. The Los Angeles Times account suggests investigators examined whether a federal civil-rights statute could apply if a public official acted under color of authority. Such cases focus on whether an official’s power was used to harm someone’s protected rights. That would explain device seizures, interviews with multiple women, and searches across different jurisdictions.
The mix of locations highlights the investigation’s scope. Agents acted in the Washington, D.C. area and at California sites, including the donor-linked mansion. Reporters noted that the public cannot yet review the probable-cause affidavit supporting the Beverly Hills search, so the exact evidentiary link to that address remains unknown in open records. Still, a federal judge must approve a search warrant, which requires specific facts alleging evidence will be found at the site.
What This Means for Accountability and Trust
High-profile investigations into public figures test trust in institutions. People on the right and left worry that elites play by different rules. Swift federal moves—seizing devices, contacting witnesses, and searching a donor’s mansion—suggest investigators are not treating this like a public-relations issue but as a criminal case with potential federal angles. That process focus matters. Searches gather records, messages, and location data that can either strengthen allegations or help clear a subject.
#BREAKING Federal agents raided a mansion in Beverly Hills in connection to the ongoing investigation into former Rep. Eric Swalwell. Agents already seized Swalwell's phones and raided his D.C. home over the summer. #beverlyhills
The mansion is owned by billionaire donor…— CALA 🇺🇸 (@cala33189) October 27, 2026
Survivors often do not report assaults, which can complicate timelines and records. Research summarized by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center estimates that about 63 percent of sexual assaults are never reported, a reality that shapes how long it can take for claims to surface and be investigated. That context helps explain why a case may center on digital evidence and interviews now, even if there was no early police report. The bottom line: the investigation is active, and outcomes will turn on evidence.
Sources:
twitchy.com, cnn.com, washingtonpost.com, newsweek.com, thehill.com
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