California political watchdogs are investigating whether former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D-CA) gubernatorial campaign improperly used donor funds to pay legal expenses stemming from sexual misconduct allegations that derailed his bid for governor.
The California Fair Political Practices Commission opened a formal investigation on May 28 into Swalwell and his 2026 gubernatorial campaign committee, according to correspondence cited by multiple reports.
The inquiry centers on payments made by the campaign to Los Angeles attorney Sara Azari, a prominent criminal defense lawyer who has publicly defended Swalwell against allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.
Campaign finance records show an initial $40,000 payment to Azari for legal services was reported in April. Subsequent filings indicate the campaign’s payments to the attorney increased substantially, surpassing $300,000 in total.
The FPPC first sought documentation regarding the payments on May 1, requesting records from the campaign within 14 days. Less than a month later, the agency informed Swalwell’s campaign that the matter had been escalated into a formal investigation.
“At this time, we have not made any determination about the possible violations,” FPPC Assistant Chief Christopher Burton wrote in a letter notifying the campaign of the probe.
The investigation comes amid the collapse of Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign following allegations from multiple women accusing him of sexual misconduct, including claims of rape and sexual assault. Swalwell has denied the allegations while acknowledging what he described as mistakes in judgment.
Swalwell suspended his campaign for governor in April after reports detailing the allegations surfaced. Days later, he resigned from Congress, ending a political career that had made him one of the Democratic Party’s most visible national figures.
Azari emerged as one of Swalwell’s most vocal defenders following the allegations. She publicly disputed claims against her client and criticized efforts to characterize the accusations as criminal conduct.
The FPPC investigation is focused on whether campaign funds were lawfully used to cover legal expenses. California campaign finance laws generally restrict the use of donor money for personal expenses unrelated to campaign or officeholder duties, per the New York Post.
Neither Swalwell nor Azari immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the investigation.
The former congressman’s campaign attracted substantial financial support from prominent figures in the entertainment industry and business community. Campaign filings show contributions from actors including Sean Penn, Robert De Niro and Jon Hamm, as well as executives and investors connected to Hollywood and major talent agencies.
Despite ending his gubernatorial campaign, Swalwell remained on the ballot and received more than 20,000 votes in California’s primary election this week.
Campaign records indicate Swalwell still controls more than $2.6 million in campaign funds. The outcome of the FPPC investigation could determine whether some of those funds may continue to be used for legal expenses related to the allegations.
The inquiry represents the latest development in a scandal that has dramatically altered Swalwell’s political future. Once considered a high-profile Democratic figure with statewide ambitions, he now faces ongoing legal and political challenges as regulators examine the financial activities of his campaign.
The FPPC has not announced a timeline for completing its investigation. If violations are found, the agency could pursue administrative penalties or other enforcement actions under California campaign finance laws.
