Rep. Eric Swalwell accused of illegally paying nanny with campaign funds
Swalwell’s misconduct and assault allegations rock California governor’s race
Congressman Eric Swalwell faces accusations of serious sexual misconduct, including rape, that are casting a shadow over his bid for governor of California. Top Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi, are calling on Swalwell to drop out of the race in the face of mounting pressure. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy details Swalwell’s past ties to a Chinese spy.
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Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., faces allegations that he violated immigration and employment laws to hire a live-in nanny in the United States, according to two recent complaints; This includes allegations that he paid her from campaign funds even though she did not have a work permit.
A complaint filed with the Department of Labor on Tuesday alleges that Swalwell and his wife, Brittany Swalwell, lied to keep their babysitter, Amanda Barbosa, employed. New York Post.
In a separate complaint filed by California filmmaker and political activist Joel Gilbert with the Department of Homeland Security in February and first reported by The Post, Swalwell is accused of paying his nanny campaign funds over nearly two years for allegedly not having a valid work permit.
“Barbosa appears in numerous social media photos with the Swalwell family throughout 2023 and 2024, indicating a continued close relationship and ongoing child care responsibilities despite a lack of known legal work authorization,” the DHS complaint states.
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Representative Eric Swalwell speaks at a press conference on committee assignments for the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol on January 25, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
According to The Post, Barbosa was hired by Swalwell, who is running for governor of California for the first time in 2021, after coming to the United States from Brazil on an au-pair visa.
Barbosa was paid $3,914 in campaign funds in 2021 and received $46,930 in 2022, according to Federal Election Commission data.
Swalwell began the process of sponsoring Barbosa for a green card because his visa was set to expire in December 2022, according to a labor certification application reviewed by The Post.
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Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., speaks while attending the SEIU-United Service Workers of the West (SEIU-USWW) Gubernatorial Candidate Labor Forum at Meruelo Studios on January 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
Barbosa later enrolled at a public university and was not allowed to work off campus under student visa rules, The Post reported. But social media photos show him interacting with Swalwell’s children at family events throughout 2023 and 2024.
FEC records reviewed by the outlet show $52,262 in campaign expenses for “child care” were reimbursed to Swalwell; The complaint alleges it was a temporary solution for Barbosa to remain employed unless he was authorized to work in the United States
The Labor Department told The Post that the labor certificate was approved in 2024. Barbosa received $38,905 in campaign funds from Swalwell in 2025, according to FEC data.
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Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing with Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., on September 17, 2025 (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
The complaints emerged as Swalwell faced separate allegations of sexual assault.
The San Francisco Chronicle first reported the allegations from a former employee, and three women later spoke to CNN with allegations of misconduct.
Swalwell denied the allegations and faced calls to withdraw his bid for governor.
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Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., wears a protective mask while speaking during a House Intelligence Committee hearing on April 15, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Al Drago-Pool/Getty Images)
“A lot has been said about me today through anonymous allegations, and I thought it was important for you to see and hear from me directly. These sexual assault allegations are completely false,” Swalwell said in a video released Friday. he said.
“These are absolute lies. It didn’t happen. It never did. And I will fight them with everything I have.”
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Fox News Digital has reached out to Swalwell’s congressional office, as well as the Department of Labor, Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Election Commission for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Madison Colombo contributed to this report.
