FBI raids billionaire’s Beverly Hills mansion in Eric Swalwell sex probe

The FBI raided a Beverly Hills mansion Tuesday morning, marking a dramatic new twist in the federal investigation into disgraced former California Congressman Eric Swalwell, according to the New York Post ^[1]. The dawn raid targeted the home of billionaire Stephen Cloobeck, who previously let Swalwell stay there during his gubernatorial campaign before cutting ties amid sexual misconduct allegations. A senior law enforcement official told the New York Post that the search was linked to a sex worker.

Cloobeck, founder of Diamond Resorts International, had been one of Swalwell’s largest benefactors, spending over $1 million to support the politician’s run for governor ^[1]. After allegations surfaced that Swalwell assaulted multiple women, including former staffers, Cloobeck expelled him from the mansion. “I am no longer associated with a man that takes advantage of women,” Cloobeck said in April, as reported by the New York Post.

The FBI has not confirmed what was seized during Tuesday’s operation. An FBI spokesperson stated only that the agency conducted an operation in the Los Angeles region related to an ongoing criminal investigation, per The Independent ^[3]. TMZ reported that it remains unclear whether agents found any evidence at the property ^[2].

This raid follows an August incident where FBI agents confronted Swalwell at San Francisco International Airport, seizing his cellphone and laptop ^[2]. The warrant cited a federal civil-rights statute, suggesting investigators suspect Swalwell used his official power to silence accusers, according to the New York Post ^[1]. Agents also searched his Washington, D.C., home the day after the airport seizure.

Swalwell, a seven-term Democrat, resigned from Congress in April and dropped out of the governor’s race after at least five women accused him of sexual misconduct ^[2]. The allegations include rape, drugging, and sending unsolicited explicit images, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN ^[3]. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office is also investigating, encouraging survivors to contact their Special Victims Division, according to The Independent.

Cloobeck has faced his own legal troubles, including charges related to witness intimidation in a case involving his ex-partner, Adva Lavie ^[1]. Swalwell has consistently denied wrongdoing, acknowledging only “mistakes in judgment” while vowing to fight the assault allegations ^[2]. With Los Angeles prosecutors weighing charges, the federal probe appears far from over.