The FBI searched a home in Southern California on Tuesday as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, the agency confirmed to ABC News. Sources told ABC News the search is connected to an investigation into former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell.7,4,8
The FBI is carrying out a court-authorized search warrant at the home, according to an FBI spokesperson. The search came just one week before the midterm elections, and Niall Stanage's analysis in The Hill described it as adding "to a rapidly lengthening list of law enforcement actions that have a political component."7,1
The FBI told ABC News: "Early this morning the FBI conducted an operation in the Los Angeles region related to an ongoing criminal investigation."7
ABC News published its report at 5:31 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, and described the story as developing. CBS News and TheBlaze also reported the search, with TheBlaze describing federal agents raiding a mansion in Southern California Tuesday morning.7,4,8
Descriptions of the property varied. ABC News placed the search at a home in Southern California, while CBS News referred to a home connected to Swalwell and The Hill referred to a California home. The Guardian, The Washington Times and TheBlaze placed the search at a mansion in Beverly Hills. MSNBC's headline described the property as the mansion of a former Swalwell donor, and its summary named that donor as Stephen Cloobeck, who had backed Swalwell's campaign for governor.5,6,8,3,7,4,1,2
ABC News reported, citing sources, that Swalwell does not live in the home being searched but is believed to have stayed there for a time. The reports did not say when that stay occurred or whether Swalwell was present during the search.7
CBS News described Swalwell as having dropped out of the governor's race and given up his seat following sexual assault allegations. TheBlaze said he had resigned from Congress and dropped his 2026 California gubernatorial bid in April, and that five women had come forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct, one of whom had accused him of rape.4,8
TheBlaze also reported that Swalwell's digital devices had been confiscated and that his home in the Washington, D.C., area had been raided in August.8
The reports did not say what offense is under investigation or whether any charges have been filed. ABC News said it had reached out to an attorney for Swalwell for comment, and the reports did not include a response.7
The Hill's analysis also referred to a development the previous day, when it emerged that the Department of Justice was seeking something, but the text available for this story does not say what.1
The FBI added, "We have no further comment."7
