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Sleazy Eric Swalwell kept collecting cash after rape claims — as he seized control of $4M pot

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Rape and sexual assault allegations didn’t stop major political players from continuing to shower Eric Swalwell in cash as the disgraced ex-congressman’s career collapsed, The Post can reveal.

New campaign filings show that Swalwell installed himself as treasurer for the defunct campaign, giving him full control of a $4 million money pot despite suspending his campaign for California governor and resigning from Congress after allegations of rape and sexual assault.

Rep. Eric Swalwell answers a question from a student during a town hall meeting.

Eric Swalwell‘s last major political event was a town hall in Sacramento, just three days before two bombshell reports. AP

Swalwell continued to aggressively hit up donors for cash after his alleged sleazy behavior exploded into public view, raking in more than $190,000 even after multiple women leveled horrifying accusations against the congressman.

Among the unbothered donors were a major labor union, special interest PACs and an ally of Gov. Gavin Newsom who serves on the board of directors for the High-Speed Rail Authority.

Collage of a bleary-eyed man in a robe and two men on a yacht with the text

Images of Eric Swalwell partying have done little to dispel allegations of inappropriate behavior. Nik Richie/Instagram

Campaign finance records show Swalwell — who has denied allegations of criminal behavior that first went public April 10 — received $39,200 checks on April 13 from California Dairies Inc., Greater Anesthesia Service and PAC, UFCW Western States Council and real estate developer Jeff Worthe, who was appointed last year to the board for Newsom’s non-existent high speed train.

Also on April 13, Sutter East Bay Medical Group gave $30,000 while DLA Piper’s PAC gave $5,000. San Francisco arts philanthropist Kay Kimpton dropped in $5,000 on April 10, the same day allegations broke.

The shameless pol’s cash grab included a text blast sent at 11 a.m. on April 10 — just hours before the San Francisco Chronicle published horrifying allegations that he sexually assaulted a former staffer while she was too intoxicated to consent.

A screenshot of a text message conversation, with a photo of Eric Swalwell at the top, and a message below detailing a civil lawsuit against Trump and accusations against Kash Patel.

The campaign was already aware of the allegations, per reports. (CNN would report more allegations from several women later in the day.)

Swalwell claimed in the text that “MAGA allies” were trying to “end my political future because they know I’m the only one who can take down this corrupt administration.”

“While Kash Patel tries to get revenge on me for going after Trump, I’m fighting for the same things I always have: truth, accountability and justice,” Swalwell wrote in the desperate text.

He added, “Unlike them, I have nothing to hide.”

Aerial view of Stephen Cloobeck's Beverly Hills home, featuring a large house, swimming pool, and extensive hedges.

Stephen Cloobeck’s palatial estate in Beverly Hills served as a frequent place to crash for Eric Swalwell. CA Post

Stephen Cloobeck speaking to a news crew outside his mansion.

Cloobeck said he kicked Swalwell out of his mansion after sexual assault allegations became public. David Buchan for California Post

Swalwell ended up hiding out that same night in the palatial Beverly Hills mansion of billionaire benefactor Stephen Cloobeck, who would end up kicking out the shamed politician.

“I was with my counsel, and we had a chat with him. I just told him: ‘You busted the trust,’” Cloobeck told The Post.

He added that he said to Swalwell: “I’m shocked, I’m disturbed and get the f—k out of here.” 

Swalwell’s movements have been a mystery in the days since the scandal broke, as his congressional and campaign staffers turned their backs on him en masse. 

Meanwhile, his wife and children were recently spotted vacationing in the hyper-exclusive El Dorado Beach Club — a members-only club where Swalwell’s estranged billionaire backer Cloobeck has a $45 million villa.

Brittany Watts with her family and luggage at Los Cabos International Airport.

Eric Swalwell’s family went to Mexico after women made a series of allegations against the ex-congressman. BACKGRID for California Post

Campaign records show Swalwell, who did not respond to a request for comment, quickly pulled back on travel in the immediate aftermath of the April 10 allegations, canceling flights and recouping at least $4,643.07 in refunds over three days. 

The campaign received more than $2,000 back from Delta Air Lines on April 10, followed by multiple reimbursements totaling $2,560 from United Airlines and $246.47 from Expedia on April 13 — all listed as payments for “services not provided.”

Juanita Kizor, an Orinda resident who gave $500 to Swalwell’s campaign just hours before the scandal broke, told The Post she has been a supporter in recent years but is now frustrated after writing a letter to the campaign asking for her money to be returned.

Juanita Kizor in a long blue beaded gown and a sparkling silver purse, attending the San Francisco Opera Centennial Celebration.

Juanita Kizor gave $500 to Swalwell’s campaign for governor just hours before the scandal broke. Susana Bates for Drew Altizer Photography

“It’s quite disappointing, because he did such a great job on the [Trump] impeachment hearings,” Kizor said.

“I think he’s talented and had a bright future, and it’s gotta be devastating for his family and him — but there’s no going back.”

“He did not act with integrity at all.” 

A shellshocked Kathy Griffin — one of many Hollywood donors who showered Swalwell with cash — said on her podcast she clawed back her $10,000 donation to his campaign and donated it to a progressive media organization.

“I’m very proud I was able to get the donation back from Swalwell-world,” the comedienne shared on her podcast, “Talk Your Head off.”

Swalwell processed $53,685 in refunds to donors in the first three and a half months of 2026 while bringing in more than $5.5 million, according to campaign records.

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Swalwell is now the focus of criminal investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and district attorneys in Los Angeles and Manhattan.

Swalwell could soon be drowning in legal problems, Paul Kamenar, an attorney with the National Legal and Policy Center, told The Post in an interview this month.

Civil lawsuits could follow the criminal probes into Swalwell’s alleged misdeeds, Kamenar explained. Campaign records showed a $40,000 payout to pitbull attorney Sara Azari, who defended Swalwell on television after the reports of sexual abuse were made by several women, including former staffers.

The Department of Justice is also investigating Swalwell as scrutiny grows over his use of campaign funds for partying, childcare and hotel rooms — where at least one sexual assault was alleged to have occurred.

“He’s not out of the woods by any means,” Kamenar said.

Azari’s firm retained the services of another firm that brought on a private investigator to contact one of Swalwell’s former staffers, according to a report by NOTUS.

A campaign and election law attorney, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told The Post that Swalwell’s continued spending could come with its own legal and monetary risks if not properly reported.

“You can’t hide controversial expenses by running them through somebody else,” the attorney said. “If the private investigator was paid by the law firm [Swalwell hired], then that PI needs to show up on the report.”

Sara Azari smiling while relaxing on a patterned couch.

Sara Azari has already been paid $40,000 for defending Eric Swalwell over accusations of rape and sexual assault. Threads/@azarilaw

The source said Swalwell’s campaign will likely focus its spending on legal fees going forward, as he could face criminal charges or civil lawsuits as a result of the allegations.

“I am 100% certain that is the only thing he is thinking about right now,” the source said.

State law requires the use of campaign funds for attorney fees to be directly related to a person’s status as an elected official or candidate. But any spending on lawsuits or criminal cases could put Swalwell on the hook to repay the money.

“If you use your campaign funds for sexual harassment, and you end up being found guilty or liable, then you have to repay them,” the source said.

That would be a tough task for Swalwell, who has carried significant debt in recent years, according to federal disclosures. Last year, he reported a mortgage exceeding $1 million, student loan debt as high as $100,000 and about $65,000 in credit card debt with Chase and American Express.

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