Fellow California Congressman Rep. Sam Liccardo says rumors of Eric Swalwell sexual misconduct swirled for years

Former colleagues of Eric Swalwell are speaking out after the ex-congressman from California resigned this week amid an avalanche of sexual misconduct allegations.

One congressman says rumors about the misconduct have existed for years.

Swalwell’s exit was made official at the U.S. Capitol nearly 48 hours after he announced his resignation from Congress. The sign outside of his office door in Washington, D.C. has now been removed.

At least six women have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is among the agencies investigating allegations.

Lonna Drewes identified herself on Tuesday and alleges that Swalwell assaulted her in his hotel room in 2018.

Before resigning from Congress, the 45-year-old dropped out of the race for California governor over the weekend.

Swalwell has maintained that the allegations are false, but said it would be unfair to his constituents if he remained in Congress while he’s distracted from his duties.

“Rumors about that were going on for many, many years, and you can’t act individually on rumors, but certainly, when you have a swirl of rumors like this, it raises the question: Why wasn’t there action taken?” Rep. Sam Liccardo (D-CA) said.

“Just shock and sad — felt for the accusers who absolutely need to be believed, and shocked and saddened for everybody involved. Just deeply disturbing allegations,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA).

Some lawmakers, like Aguilar and Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), claim they only learned of the allegations days ago when the news first broke.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has set a special election for August 18 to fill the House of Representatives seat vacated by Swalwell.

Swalwell was first elected to Congress in 2012. He represented a district east of San Francisco.