U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., released a video Friday evening strongly denying the allegations of sexual assault made against him, calling the accusations "flat out false" and "absolutely false."
Swalwell, who is the leading Democratic candidate in California's gubernatorial race, was accused by a former female staffer of sexually assaulting her while she was intoxicated on multiple occasions. The bombshell allegations, which included reports of sexual harassment against other female staffers, were reported by the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday.
The unnamed female accuser reportedly worked for Swalwell for about two years and said he pursued her shortly after she was hired as a 21-year-old staffer in his district office — despite him being married.
"A lot has been said about me today through anonymous allegations and I thought it was important that you see and hear from me directly. These allegations of sexual assault are flat out false," Swalwell said in a video on social media. "They are absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything that I have."
The alleged victim accused Swalwell of pressuring her to send naked pictures of herself, adding that he sent sexually explicit photos of himself to her. She also said he allegedly pulled out his private parts while driving in a car with her and asked her to perform oral sex on him.
On multiple occasions, the young staffer said she blacked out from alcohol...
Rep. Eric Swalwell on Friday forcefully denied allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, saying in a public statement and a video posted to social media that the claims are false and politicall...