More than 200 donors are demanding over $1.5 million in refunds from Eric Swalwell's suspended gubernatorial campaign, according to an internal campaign document reviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle. The refund requests strike at the financial foundation Swalwell has been using to mount his legal defense against multiple sexual assault allegations.
When the first accusations surfaced in early April, Swalwell's campaign held roughly $4 million in cash. After his campaign collapsed, he made himself the treasurer of his own campaign committee, giving him direct control over those funds. He continued soliciting donations after the allegations became public, raising nearly $200,000 more, the New York Post reported.
Five women have now accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct. One alleges he raped her. Others say he sent unwanted explicit images. A fifth woman came forward the day after Swalwell announced his intention to resign from the House on April 14, also alleging rape.
Lonna Drewes, a former model, described her account in stark terms. "He raped me. And he choked me. And while he was choking me, I lost consciousness. And I thought I died," she said. "It had a profound impact on my mental health. I self-medicated it in an unhealthy way. I did not want to live anymore."
Swalwell has denied all of it. "These allegations of sexual assault are flat false," he said in a statement. "They did not happen, they have never happened and I will fight them with everything that I have. I have certainly made mistakes in my judgement in my past, but those mistakes are between me and my wife."
The legal question over whether campaign funds can cover his defense costs is unsettled. California law requires that campaign money spent on legal expenses be directly tied to a person's status as a candidate or elected official. Swalwell has since resigned from Congress and suspended his campaign, which complicates that argument. Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School, told the Chronicle that Swalwell will likely argue the women only came forward because he was running for governor, framing the legal battle as campaign-related.
Swalwell's personal finances add another layer of pressure. Federal disclosures show he carries up to $100,000 in student loan debt, between $30,000 and $100,000 in credit card debt, and a mortgage with up to $5 million outstanding.
The Chronicle reported that if Swalwell is found liable for sexual misconduct, he may be required to reimburse his donors, which could further drain whatever remains of the campaign fund.
