FACT Urges DOJ to Investigate Former Rep. Eric Swalwell for Potential Criminal Violations

Evidence Suggests Abuse of Official Position for Personal Financial Gain and Misuse of Government Resources

Washington, D.C. — April 22, 2026 — The non-partisan ethics watchdog, the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT), sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) requesting it investigate former Representative Eric Swalwell for potential violations of federal law stemming from allegations that he used his official position and government resources to promote and benefit his personal business.

Members of Congress are prohibited from using their official positions for personal financial gain and misusing government resources for non-official purposes. Federal law and House ethics rules are designed to ensure that public office is not used for personal gain, and that taxpayer-funded resources are used only for official duties.

While serving in Congress, Swalwell co-founded a for-profit company, Findraiser, which provides AI-driven fundraising services to political campaigns. Swalwell and his former chief of staff reportedly promoted the company’s services to Members of Congress, congressional staff, and political campaigns through direct outreach, including emails, text messages, and in-person pitches. These efforts were described as “aggressive” and “relentless,” and in some instances allegedly tied to legislative interactions.

Further reports indicate that Findraiser generated more than $60,000 from over a dozen political campaigns, including those with direct political or legislative ties to Swalwell. Despite reporting no salary from the company, Swalwell disclosed significant ownership interest in the business, valued between $200,000 and $500,000, creating a clear financial incentive tied to the company’s success.

Additionally, there are allegations that both Swalwell and his chief of staff used official government resources including office space, staff time, and equipment to conduct business-related activities.

With Swalwell’s resignation from Congress, the House Ethics Committee no longer holds jurisdiction to investigate these allegations. However, the Department of Justice still has full authority to examine whether these actions violated federal law.

“Public office is a position of trust, and no individual should be able to skirt accountability for potential abuses of power simply by resigning. The reported actions using an official position to promote a personal business and potentially misusing government resources raise serious legal concerns that warrant a thorough investigation by the Department of Justice. Ensuring accountability in cases like this is essential to maintaining public confidence in government,” said Kendra Arnold, Executive Director of FACT.

A full copy of the letter sent to the Department of Justice can be found HERE.

FACT is a nonprofit organization promoting accountability, ethics, and transparency in government and civic arenas. For more on FACT, visit: http://www.factdc.org