World

‘He actually responded’: Influencer's chilling allegations against Eric Swalwell amid sexual assault row

Eric Swalwell is facing mounting scrutiny as a CNN report followed the San Francisco Chronicle report, detailing the allegations from four women accusing him of sexual misconduct. The report also included claims made by social media creator Ally Sammarco.

CNN’s report details inappropriate behavior by Eric Swalwell, including unsolicited messages, with claims from four women including allegations from influencer (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (AP)

The CNN report adds to earlier reporting by the San Francisco Chronicle, which described Swalwell’s campaign as “imploding” amid the allegations, citing staff departures and internal concerns.

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Ally Sammarco’s claims and others

Ally Sammarco is among four women cited in the CNN investigation report, which outlines allegations of inappropriate behaviour, including unsolicited messages and interactions.

The report details how Sammarco’s communication with Swalwell allegedly began as a political exchange on social media.

According to CNN, Sammarco alleged that she received unsolicited nude messages from Swalwell after initially contacting him on Twitter to discuss politics. “I truly never thought he would respond – I had like 1,000 followers at the time.” She added, “And he actually responded.”

CNN examined screenshots of dozens of messages. Swalwell allegedly sent texts to these women, many of which were flirty in nature. However, none of the messages analyzed were sexually explicit, according to the publication.

CNN reports that the other women described different forms of alleged misconduct, though specifics vary across accounts.

Read more: Eric Swalwell election odds take massive blow amid sexual assault allegations

Medical records and text messages shared by alleged victims as evidence

CNN reported on the discovery of the evidence supporting major portions of each of the women’s claims, including the former staffer who said she was sexually assaulted.

The publication interviewed family members and friends whom one of the women texted, saying, “I was sexually assaulted on Thursday.” She added, “By Eric” next. The woman was allegedly assaulted by Swalwell in 2024.

The woman also supplied medical records that show she contracted an STD and a pregnancy test following the alleged assault.

CNN also reviewed correspondence between Swalwell and another woman, including a picture he sent her that was in line with a video of him in her city on the evening of their face-to-face meeting.

Swalwell allegedly followed a similar pattern with these women, where he made them feel important by showing a keen interest in their lives while they were in their twenties and establishing a career and then eventually sending them sexual messages.

The women told the publication that they had many times obliged and reciprocated, given his “position in power.”