FBI raids Stephen Cloobeck’s Beverly Hills mansion tied to Eric Swalwell investigation as Federal probe intensifies

Federal agents searched the Beverly Hills mansion of billionaire Stephen Cloobeck on Tuesday morning as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into former California Congressman Eric Swalwell. The raid comes months after the FBI searched Swalwell’s Washington DC home and seized his electronics at SFO. Swalwell has been the subject of numerous allegations of sexual misconduct which led to his resignation from Congress and his withdrawal from the California Governor's race earlier this year. The inputs are taken from Fox News and The Guardian.

The most recent search comes as the probe is receiving renewed attention following the release of FBI documents relating to Swalwell’s past association with a suspected Chinese intelligence officer.

Why did the FBI search Stephen Cloobeck’s mansion

Approximately 6 a.m. on Tuesday saw at least 25 federal agents at Cloobeck’s Beverly Hills residence. They conducted a lengthy search of the mansion, though no details have been released as to what they found. Several people were taken out of the house in handcuffs and were all released shortly afterwards. Cloobeck wasn't at home when the agents turned up.

An FBI spokesperson (Lourdes Arocho) has confirmed that the FBI did in fact conduct an operation in the LA area.

“We have no further comment.”

Cloobeck has long been a backer of Swalwell’s campaigns. He was also arrested earlier this year in a separate matter relating to allegations he attempted to influence witnesses in a criminal case against his fiancée.

Authorities have not said what the investigators were looking for at the mansion or whether anyone taken from the property is going to be charged in connection with the operation.

How is the FBI investigation linked to Eric Swalwell

The Tuesday raid follows an FBI operation in August. At the time, agents searched Swalwell’s Washington, D.C., home and seized electronic devices from him at San Francisco International Airport. Sources familiar with the operation said it was linked to a sexual misconduct investigation. Swalwell was not arrested or detained.

The probe gained attention after a woman accused Swalwell of sexually assaulting her twice, including while she was working for him. The San Francisco Chronicle first reported the allegations, which CNN later covered.

CNN also reported that three other women had accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct. Their allegations included claims that he sent unsolicited explicit messages or nude photographs. In total, at least five women, including a former staff member, have accused him of sexual misconduct or rape.

Swalwell has said he will fight the allegations. When he announced his resignation, he wrote: “I will fight the serious false allegations made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.”

What do the newly released FBI records say

Swalwell is also facing renewed scrutiny over his past relationship with Christine “Fang Fang” Fang, who was suspected of having ties to China’s Ministry of State Security.

On Monday, the White House released declassified FBI records through its Government Transparency Task Force. The documents say Swalwell told investigators he had “physical relations” with Fang on a handful of occasions. According to his account, their last sexual encounter took place in March 2015.

Fang’s parents were reportedly considered known Chinese intelligence officers. The FBI investigated Eric Swalwell about his connection with Fang in May 2015 and again in March 2016.

Later he became one of the names in the race for California’s governor. However, he withdrew from the contest and left Congress in April after the sexual misconduct allegations surfaced.

The search of Cloobeck’s mansion marks another development in the federal investigation. For now, authorities have not released details about the evidence gathered during Tuesday’s raid.