Two women who have accused Congressman Eric Swalwell of sending unwanted explicit photos say they are grateful he is facing consequences now and leaving Congress after acting with impunity for years.
Annika Albrecht and Ally Sammarco told CBS News they feel vindicated. But Albrecht said there is more to be done.
For me, justice won't be until he can't ever harm a woman ever again, and he has faced the consequences for the women that he has harmed, she said.
Swalwell, a Democrat, announced his resignation on Monday and has also dropped out of the California governor's race. He issued an apology to his wife and supporters, admitting mistakes but denying allegations of sexual abuse.
In his statement, Swalwell expressed, I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgement I've made in my past. He further stated, I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.
Elected to the House of Representatives in 2012, Swalwell has recently faced serious accusations, including sexual harassment and rape, prompting an ethics inquiry in Congress. Accusations were fueled by interviews with four women, leading to discussions of potentially expelling him from office.
Sammarco noted that Swalwell was essentially pushed into resigning as it became clear that Congress was preparing to expel him, indicating a desire to save face.
She detailed her experience, stating that Swalwell sent her unsolicited nude messages over Snapchat, having initially contacted him for career advice when she was 24.
Albrecht, who met Swalwell during a college trip, shared her experience of receiving sexually inappropriate communications under the pretense of mentorship, stating, I keep thinking about how lucky I am that didn't go to that hotel, referring to an invitation from Swalwell.
A deeper investigation is also underway by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office regarding allegations of sexual assault from an unnamed former staff member, detailing a concerning account of waking up naked in Swalwell’s hotel room in 2019.
Sammarco emphasized that Swalwell had acted with a sense of untouchability, projecting confidence that he would escape the consequences of his actions.
The broader conversation surrounding Swalwell’s misconduct has been amplified by Democratic influencer Cheyenne Hunt, who reported that over 30 women have come forward with similar stories since she began raising public awareness of the issue. Congress is set to resume discussions on these matters shortly, including the ongoing inquiry against Swalwell.
