FBI seizes Swalwell’s devices at airport as sexual misconduct investigation escalates: sources
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seized disgraced former congressman Eric Swalwell's electronic devices at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday night, two sources familiar with the incident confirmed to Fox News Digital.
Swalwell's home in Washington, D.C. was subsequently searched on Sunday, a source said.
The devices seized included at least one cell phone. The devices were taken from the ex-lawmaker related to a probe into sexual misconduct, according to the sources. He was not arrested or detained, Fox News Digital learned.
Fox News Digital reached out to Swalwell's attorney.
DOJ OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO ERIC SWALWELL OVER SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS
The former Democratic California gubernatorial candidate and left-wing television news darling resigned from his seat in Congress in April on the heels of numerous allegations of sexual misconduct. He was threatened with expulsion from the lawmaking body before his exit. He spent 13 years as a member of Congress.
At least five women, including one former staffer, have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct or rape.
At the same time, Swalwell dropped his bid to become California's next governor.
"I will fight the serious false allegations made against me," Swalwell wrote at the time of his resignation. "However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make."
Swalwell also faced renewed scrutiny earlier this week after the White House declassified documents related to an FBI probe into his relationship with Christine "Fang Fang" Fang, a suspected Chinese intelligence operative. Swalwell told FBI agents he had "physical relations" with Fang on a handful of occasions, according to declassified FBI records released Monday by the White House.
Their last sexual encounter occurred in March 2015, according to Swalwell’s account in the FBI records.
The documents were released by the White House's new Government Transparency Task Force.
Swalwell was interviewed by the FBI first in May 2015 and later in March 2016 regarding his relationship with Fang.
Fang had suspected ties to China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), and her parents were reportedly considered known Chinese intelligence officers.