Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) was hit with a federal criminal referral for alleged mortgage and tax fraud related to his purchase of a $1.2 million home in Washington, DC, that he claimed as a primary residence, according to confirmed details. Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte requested an investigation of Swalwell based on allegedly false and misleading statements he made about the purchase, with the probe now underway.
The designation could constitute mortgage fraud, insurance fraud, and state and local tax fraud, among other charges, the source noted. In addition to the Department of Justice criminal referral, FHFA’s inspector general is probing the alleged mortgage fraud.
Swalwell responded in a statement, expressing defiance against what he described as political targeting. “Like James Comey and John Bolton, Adam Schiff and Lisa Cook, Letitia James and the dozens more to come – I refuse to live in fear in what was once the freest country in the world,” he said. “Of course, I will not end my lawsuit against him. And I will not stop speaking out against the president and speaking up for Californians.”
The referrals indicated misrepresentations may have granted each more favorable loan terms, with other Democrats facing similar scrutiny. The investigation centers on claims of false statements about second homes or rental properties being their primary residence.