Two women who have accused former Rep. Eric Swalwell of misconduct say they chose to come forward publicly in an effort to prevent further alleged harm, warning that remaining silent could have allowed the California Democrat to continue in positions of power for decades, as reported[1] by The New York Post.
The accusers, Ally Sammarco and Annika Albrecht, shared their accounts in an interview with CBS News following Swalwell’s abrupt resignation from Congress on Monday and his decision to exit California’s gubernatorial race.
Their statements come after multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct surfaced against the former seven-term lawmaker.
San Francisco, CA./USA-Jan. 15, 2017 – Eric Michael Swalwell Jr. (Democrat) serves as the U.S. Representative from California’s 15th congressional district.
Sammarco said she believes speaking out now may have stopped additional harm.
“He thought he was untouchable. He acted with total impunity. He never thought that the consequences of his actions would follow him,” Sammarco said.
“I think we just prevented another 30 to 40 years, potentially, of him harming people if he were to stay in Congress,” she continued.
She added that Swalwell’s potential political future raised concerns.
“As governor, he would have had even more power and more authority. And he would have felt vindicated too, you know, that he could run for higher office.”
Albrecht, who publicly detailed her allegations for the first time in the interview, said accountability remains her primary concern.
“I keep thinking about how lucky I am that I didn’t go to that hotel,” Albrecht said.
“It was very clear what the connotation was.”
She also said justice would not be achieved in her case “until he can’t ever harm a woman ever again — and he has faced the consequences for the women that he has harmed.”
According to both women, their alleged interactions with Swalwell took place when they were younger and pursuing careers in politics.
Sammarco said she first connected with Swalwell in 2021 after sending him a message on social media. She described initially feeling encouraged when he offered to help advance her career.
However, she said the communication later shifted in tone. Sammarco alleges that Swalwell eventually sent her an explicit photo via Snapchat.
Albrecht similarly alleged that Swalwell sent her inappropriate messages through Snapchat and at one point attempted to persuade her to meet him at a hotel room.
“We’re not walking away from this fight”: Two accusers of Congressman Eric Swalwell are sharing their accusations and decisions to come forward.
Annika Albrecht, Ally Sammarco and influencer Cheyenne Hunt, who helped get their stories out, spoke exclusively with CBS News’… pic.twitter.com/7kEf41jAb2[3]
Swalwell’s resignation follows a series of accusations that have emerged in recent days, with multiple women alleging misconduct spanning several years.
The claims include accusations of unsolicited explicit messages and photos sent through social media platforms.
Despite stepping down, Swalwell has denied the most serious allegations.
“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” he said in a statement posted on social media.
“I will fight the serious false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.”
Husband of influencer threatens lawsuit against Eric Swalwell, claims he once sent his wife unsolicited n*des and showed up at her home. pic.twitter.com/Xrprf7t20m[5]
His departure marks a rapid political decline for a figure who had served multiple terms in Congress and had recently sought higher office in California.
