The Manhattan district attorney's office is now investigating a sexual assault allegation against California Democratic congressman Eric Swalwell, who is running for governor.
The probe was announced Saturday, a day after Swalwell flatly denied accusations from a former staffer in his district office. The woman, whose identity has not been made public, alleged two nonconsensual sexual encounters, according to reporting from the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday.
Swalwell's denial came as pressure mounted on the congressman to abandon his gubernatorial bid. The investigation marks a significant development in what had previously been a private accusation, now thrust into the public domain during his campaign for statewide office.
The allegation emerged Friday when the Chronicle first reported the woman's account. The news organization did not identify the accuser, citing standard journalistic practices for sexual assault cases.
Swalwell represents a Bay Area district and has been a prominent voice in national Democratic politics, serving on the House Intelligence Committee. His entry into the California governor's race positioned him as one of several Democratic candidates vying to lead the state.
The sexual assault investigation by Manhattan prosecutors is separate from any potential state or local proceedings. Whether the investigation will proceed and what its scope might be remain unclear.
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