House Ethics Committee launches probe into Rep. Swalwell rape claim

The House Ethics Committee Monday opened an investigation into Rep. Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat accused of sexual misconduct with several women and of raping one of his employees.

The Ethics Committee, a ten-member, bipartisan panel, released a short statement announcing the probe and stating it is “gathering additional information” regarding the allegations that Mr. Swalwell “may have engaged in sexual misconduct, including towards and employee working under his supervision.”

The bombshell claims against Mr. Swalwell were made public in several news reports over the weekend. Democratic Party leaders quickly pressured Mr. Swalwell to drop his bid for California governor, and he did so in a statement on Sunday.

Mr. Swalwell denies the sexual misconduct allegations.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday that Mr. Swalwell, a married father of three, was accused of sexually assaulting a former staffer twice when she was too intoxicated to consent. The first incident was in 2019.

CNN reported that three other women said he engaged in nonconsensual sex or sent inappropriate messages, including nude photos.

Adam Parkhomenko said his wife, Ally Sammarco, went on the record as one of his alleged victims, “so that hopefully this did not happen to other women and maybe it would help other women come forward.” Mr. Parkhomenko said his wife provided CNN with messages Mr. Swalwell had sent her.

Democrats and Republicans are threatening to call up a resolution to expel Mr. Swalwell and a trio of other lawmakers accused of unrelated misdeeds.

The Ethics Committee conducts most of its investigations behind closed doors. It will hold a rare public hearing later this month to consider whether and how to punish Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Florida Democrat whom the Ethics panel said broke the law by using millions of dollars in disaster relief money to fund her congressional campaigns.

Mr. Swalwell on Sunday apologized to his family, staff and supporters for “mistakes in judgment,” but called the allegations of sexual assault made against him “false.”

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said it is investigating a sexual assault allegation by a former staffer who said after getting drunk with Mr. Swalwell, she woke up to him raping her in his New York City hotel room.

“I was pushing him off of me, saying no,” she told CNN. “He didn’t stop.”