Eric Swalwell campaign spends $150,000 on legal fees amid sexual misconduct allegations

Former U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell’s political campaign reported an additional $150,000 in payments to law firm Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP between May 17 and June 30, on top of a prior $50,000 payment. The firm has provided legal guidance to Swalwell since 2016, and total campaign‑funded legal expenses now exceed $300,000.

The spending continues after Swalwell resigned from Congress and suspended his California gubernatorial bid following multiple sexual‑misconduct accusations, including rape and assault, reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN. Swalwell denies the allegations but has acknowledged “mistakes in judgment.” California Fair Political Practices Commission investigators are reviewing more than $300,000 paid to defense attorney Sara Azari on his behalf, though no updates have been released.

In response to the controversy, Representatives Ro Khanna (D‑CA) and Anna Paulina Luna (R‑FL) introduced legislation to prohibit the use of federal campaign funds for costs related to sexual‑misconduct allegations.