Newly declassified FBI records reveal that Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., admitted to agents in 2015 that he had sexual relations with Christine "Fang Fang" Fang, a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, on multiple occasions.
The documents, released by the White House Government Transparency Task Force, detail two FBI interviews with Swalwell in 2015 and 2016. These interviews were part of a larger investigation into Fang's activities, including alleged illicit campaign contributions and the placement of interns in Swalwell's office.
During the first interview in May 2015, Swalwell stated he had "physical relations" with Fang on a "handful of occasions," with the last encounter occurring in March 2015, shortly before he first met with the FBI about the matter. Swalwell was elected to Congress in 2013.
In a subsequent interview in March 2016, Swalwell provided further details, describing an incident where Fang arrived at his apartment and they "hooked up" after he had taken a sleep medication. He indicated he had limited recall of this event. The FBI noted in its summary that these encounters "probably" occurred before Swalwell was elected.
Swalwell characterized his relationship with Fang as "casual," while asserting they "never dated" or had a romantic relationship. However, he also told investigators he believed Fang "may have wanted a more romantic relationship."
The declassified files also indicate that financial records suggested Fang used intermediaries to conceal her role as a foreign-national source and orchestrated campaign contributions to Swalwell's campaign at least twice in 2013 and twice more in 2014. Fang also referred potential interns to Swalwell's congressional office.
While the FBI investigated allegations that Fang facilitated access and internships in exchange for campaign contributions, the bureau ultimately found no evidence that Swalwell committed federal corruption violations or participated in a quid-pro-quo scheme. Swalwell was removed as a subject of the investigation in 2017.
The records indicate the FBI had previously attempted to recruit Fang as a confidential source, codenamed "RUSTY THUMBS," due to suspected ties to China's Ministry of State Security. Fang also reportedly encouraged Swalwell to visit China.
Following a defensive briefing from agents in late April 2015 regarding foreign intelligence targeting, and specifically concerning Fang, Swalwell told investigators he had ceased contact with her by the time of his 2016 interview.