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Rep. Eric Swalwell’s attorney claimed a Democrat conspiracy was behind sexual misconduct allegations against his client.
Most senior Californian Democrats have pulled their endorsement of the 45-year-old congressman, including LA mayor Karen Bass, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Adam Schiff.
Speaking on behalf of Swalwell, attorney Elias Dabaie told CNN he suspected the reason they pulled their support was coordinated to bury Swalwell and consolidate the vote around one Democrat, potentially Rep. Katie Porter.
“The notion that all these people pulled their support — I suspect that there are political machinations behind the scenes explaining why the Democratic Party has decided to try to consolidate the vote in order to make sure that a Democratic candidate makes it past the primary,” he said.
”So I’m not surprised.”
Dabaie also said he was unsure when Swalwell would return to the campaign trail.
“That’s not clear,” Swalwell attorney Elias Dabaie told CNN Friday night. “He’s taking time with his family right now, and that’s a decision for him to make.”
The candidate cancelled his next campaign event scheduled for Thursday in Palm Springs after the allegations drew extensive backlash from other Democrats. He’s called the allegations, which originate “false.”
Dabaie echoed Swalwell’s sentiment in the interview.
“Let me start by telling you that we take these allegations very seriously,” he said.
“The Congressman categorically denies any misconduct took place, and we intend to vindicate his rights in court.”
He noted that Swalwell did “take accountability for potential lapses in judgment, but again, categorically denies any wrongdoing.”
Sen. Ruben Gallego and Rep. Jimmy Gomez, his former campaign co-chair, condemned Swalwell for his alleged sexual misconduct. Dabaie said they may have rushed “to judgement” with their comments.
“People are free to make their choices,” he said. “I think that might be an example of a rush to judgment. We have not seen any evidence to support these allegations, and people are rushing to judgment. That’s their choice.”
Swalwell’s campaign faces a steep climb to make it back to where he was before the allegations. One Democratic strategist told The Post the allegations are “extremely serious and potentially career-ending.”
One campaign staffer said Swalwell had non-consensual sex with her in 2019 after she became heavily intoxicated.
Dabaie has told the Swalwell accusers that he could sue for defamation over reports of “nonconsensual sexual encounters.”
The Democratic primary for California governor is less than 2 months away, set for June 2.
English (US)