Newly obtained records indicate that Rep. Eric Swalwell's campaign engaged in aggressive damage control and intimidation tactics in response to questions about misconduct allegations. Weeks before sexual misconduct allegations against Swalwell became public, his gubernatorial campaign initiated a strategy involving cease-and-desist letters and warnings to individuals inquiring about rumors.
According to reports, Swalwell's attorneys sent a cease-and-desist letter to the general counsel of Tom Steyer's rival campaign after the attorney contacted former Swalwell staffers about rumors concerning the congressman. The letter asserted there was "no truth" to allegations of inappropriate relationships between Swalwell and interns and demanded the Steyer campaign cease its inquiries.
Yardena Wolf, Swalwell's chief of staff and campaign manager, reportedly texted a copy of the cease-and-desist letter to the rival campaign's counsel. Wolf also highlighted that Swalwell's attorney had represented Dominion Voting Systems in a defamation case against Fox News and indicated she would refer the matter to the California State Bar.
Wolf also contacted Arielle Fodor, a social media creator known as Mrs. Frazzled, after Fodor discussed the rumors publicly. Wolf identified herself as Swalwell's chief of staff and campaign manager, attributing the concerns to a "horrible rumor" and offering to answer questions directly. Fodor proceeded to publicize the information.
On April 3, approximately one week before allegations against him surfaced, Swalwell's LinkedIn account reportedly sent connection requests to at least three female staffers on the Steyer campaign. A male Steyer staffer who attempted to connect with Swalwell on the same evening was blocked.
Separately, model and entrepreneur Lonna Drewes has accused Swalwell of drugging, raping, and choking her during a 2018 encounter at a West Hollywood hotel, stating she believed she was going to die. The LA County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that a criminal investigation into this matter is active.
Swalwell has not made public appearances since April 10, reportedly relying on his attorney and political allies while his campaign manager acted as an intermediary.
For nearly a decade, Swalwell has been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, frequently accusing him of treason on cable news and labeling Trump supporters as complicit in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. He also served on the House Intelligence Committee. Allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a suspected Chinese spy, identified as Fang Fang, surfaced in 2020. Swalwell has previously characterized these claims as a smear.