Ex-Staffer Alleges Sexual Assault by Rep. Eric Swalwell A former staff member of Rep. Eric Swalwell, a leading candidate for California governor, has accused the congressman of sexually assaulting her twice, once while she was employed and another years later when she was no longer an employee. The allegations, detailed in a series of interviews with the San Francisco Chronicle, have sparked significant political and legal repercussions for Swalwell, who has denied the claims and threatened legal action. Swalwell’s campaign issued a statement on Friday, calling the accusations “categorically false” and framing them as an “election eve” attack. The campaign emphasized that the congressman has “always protected women” and vowed to “defend himself with the facts” if necessary. However, the allegations have already led to the withdrawal of key endorsements from prominent allies, including Reps. Jimmy Gomez and Adam Gray, as well as Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who called on Swalwell to step down from the gubernatorial race. The woman, who worked for Swalwell in his Castro Valley district office from 2019 to 2021, described a pattern of inappropriate behavior and sexual misconduct. She alleged that Swalwell, who is married and 17 years her senior, began pursuing her shortly after she was hired at age 21. According to her account, Swalwell sent explicit images of his genitals via Snapchat and demanded nude photos in return. She recounted an incident in which he attempted to kiss her in her car after a donor meeting, later pulling out his penis in the vehicle and asking her to perform oral sex. She claimed she complied in a parking lot, though she expressed confusion about the details of the encounter.#san_francisco_chronicle #rep_erik_swalwell #nancy_pelosi #jimmy_gomez #adam_gray
49ers' Offensive Lineman Signs with NFC North Team The San Francisco 49ers began the offseason with their top two left guards, Spencer Burford and Ben Bartch, entering free agency. After Burford signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, Bartch remained on the market until Wednesday, when he finalized a deal with the Detroit Lions for the 2026 season. The move was reported by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch, who noted Bartch’s new affiliation with the NFC North team. The 49ers had previously relied on Bartch as a key component of their offensive line, particularly in protecting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. With Burford’s departure to the Raiders, the team faced the challenge of replacing their second-ranked left guard. Bartch’s decision to join the Lions marks a significant shift for both players, as the Lions aim to bolster their offensive line depth ahead of the 2026 NFL draft. This development comes as the 49ers prepare for the 2026 NFL draft, with reports indicating they are actively pursuing top-tier wide receiver prospects. The team’s focus on strengthening its offensive line aligns with broader efforts to address weaknesses in their roster. Bartch’s signing with the Lions underscores the competitive nature of free agency, where players often seek opportunities to contribute in new environments. The Lions’ acquisition of Bartch also highlights the strategic moves teams make to secure talent ahead of the draft. With the 2026 draft class expected to feature high-profile prospects, both the 49ers and Lions are positioning themselves to make impactful selections. Bartch’s transition to the Lions represents a pivotal moment in his career, as he aims to establish himself in a new league context.#san_francisco_49ers #detroit_lions #ben_bartch #spencer_burford #san_francisco_chronicle
