Ally Sammarco, one of four women who have officially accused congressman Eric Swalwell of sexual assault and harassment, has come forward to discuss the allegations.
“This has not been easy for me or the other women,” Sammarco, the only person to publicly accuse the politician of sexual misconduct, wrote on X on Sunday, April 12. “I have immense respect for them for sharing their stories.”
She added, “I chose to share my story publicly because I have a platform and resources that others may lack, and I wanted to help validate their experiences. None of this is our fault. This is about an abuse of power. No one paid us to come forward.”
Sammarco accused Swalwell, 45, of offering to “share her resume” with congressional offices, then allegedly sending “very inappropriate” messages on Snapchat suggesting they should meet up, according to a CNN investigation published on Friday, April 10.
Sammarco is among four women who have accused the congressman of sexual assault and harassment, including a former staffer who alleges the congressman raped her on at least two occasions. The other women have chosen to remain anonymous due to fears of retaliation.
“For those questioning the timing: I donât live in California, and I have no stake in who becomes Governor,” Sammarco continued on Sunday. “Iâm a Democrat who wants this party to succeed.”
She concluded, “Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way.”
Following the CNN report, Swalwell, who was leading in the California gubernatorial race at that time, released a video on social media refuting the allegations.
“A lot has been said about me today through anonymous allegations. I thought it was important that you see and hear from me directly,” Swalwell said. “These allegations of sexual assault are completely false. They are entirely untrue. They did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything I have.”
He continued, “They also come on the eve of an election, where I have been the frontrunner candidate for governor of California. I do not claim to be perfect â I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past, but those mistakes are between me and my wife. And to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position.” (Swalwell shares three children, Nelson, Cricket, and Hank, with his wife, Brittany Watts.)
Swalwell also apologized to anyone who might have reconsidered their support for him during his gubernatorial campaign due to the allegations.
Congressman Eric Swalwellâs senior staff expressed their distress over the sexual misconduct allegations against him. âAs leaders of teams working for Eric Swalwell, weâre horrified by the recent reporting in the San Francisco Chronicle and by CNN,â a statement signed by staffers for Swalwellâs 14th congressional district and the âEric Swalwell for Governor [âŠ]
“I think you know who I am,” he added. “For over 20 years, I have served the public as a city councilman, as a member of congress and as a prosecutor who went to court on behalf of victims â particularly on behalf of sexual assault victims. That’s who I am and have always been.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Swalwellâs communications director for comment.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
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