Inside the Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Congressmen Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales

The intersection of personal conduct and political ambition has taken center stage this spring as two prominent members of Congress face intensifying scrutiny over allegations of sexual misconduct and ethical lapses.

While Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) admitted in March to an extramarital affair with a subordinate who later died by suicide, new and burgeoning allegations against Representative Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) are now threatening to upend his high-profile gubernatorial bid.

Accusations Shadow Swalwell’s Gubernatorial Bid

The allegations against Swalwell, 45, were brought to light this week by Cheyenne Hunt, a Democratic activist and executive director of Gen-Z for Change. Hunt, an attorney and former congressional candidate, stated on social media that she is allegedly working with multiple women who describe a “pattern of manipulation and abuse of power” by the congressman.

According to Hunt, the allegations involve inappropriate digital communications via Snapchat and direct messages, ranging from suggestive comments to “potentially criminal conduct.” She alleged that Swalwell targeted interns and employees, leveraging his position as a mentor to exploit subordinates.

“The truth is an absolute defense,” Ms. Hunt wrote, acknowledging the legal risks of speaking out against a powerful public figure. She noted that the accusers have secured pro bono legal representation and are currently coordinating with reporters.

Adding to the congressman’s complications, reports surfaced regarding his close ties to Stephen Cloobeck, a billionaire benefactor who has contributed over $1 million to support Swalwell’s gubernatorial run. Cloobeck recently announced his engagement to Adva Lavie, an OnlyFans model facing felony burglary charges for allegedly targeting wealthy older men. Swalwell has reportedly spent significant time at Cloobeck’s Beverly Hills estate, leading to questions from political opponents regarding his actual residency in California.

A Confession in Texas Following Primary Setback

Rep. Gonzales is facing new allegations of sexual misconduct involving a former staffer.

According to reports from the San Antonio Express-News, screenshots of messages from 2020 allegedly show Gonzales soliciting nude photos from his former political director on several occasions. The former staffer alleged that despite her refusals, the congressman continued to pressure her to transition their professional relationship into a sexual one.

These allegations come just weeks after the Republican congressman issued a public apology in early March, admitting to an affair with a staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, who worked in his Uvalde office. Santos-Aviles died by suicide in September 2025, by setting herself on fire.

The admission came just one day after Gonzales was forced into a primary runoff against Brandon Herrera, a gun-rights activist. While Gonzales had previously characterized rumors of the affair as “completely untruthful,” he reversed course during a conservative radio interview on March 4.

“I’ve asked God to forgive me, which he has,” Mr. Gonzales said, describing the relationship as a “lapse in judgment.”

The House Ethics Committee announced in March it had opened an investigation to determine if Gonzales engaged in sexual misconduct or “discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors.” The probe follows reports of text messages in which Gonzales allegedly solicited explicit photos from the staffer.

Gonzales denied that Santos-Aviles received preferential pay raises due to the relationship, asserting that her salary increases were part of standard office-wide adjustments. He also alleged that the revelation of the affair was part of an extortion attempt by the staffer’s widower, a claim the widower’s legal counsel has not yet addressed.

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