Former U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell has been placed on leave from an advisory position at the Maryland law school he attended amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
Swalwell, a Democrat first elected to the House of Representatives in 2013, suspended his California gubernatorial campaign and resigned from Congress earlier this month after reports alleging he sexually assaulted a former staffer. He has denied the allegations.
“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell said in an April 13 social media post announcing his resignation from Congress. “I will fight the serious false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.”
The Iowa native completed undergraduate and law studies in the University of Maryland system and has served on the Board of Visitors for the Francis King Carey School of Law since at least 2023. Swalwell received his law degree from the school in 2006, then began his career as a prosecutor in California.
The Board of Visitors comprises “distinguished alumni and friends” who advise school leadership on academic and political issues and hiring, according to the school’s website. Its members include U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks and former Sen. Ben Cardin, as well as several Maryland judges.
The university confirmed the leave of absence to The Banner on Monday morning. It was first reported by Baltimore Fishbowl last week.
Swalwell has been notified of the decision, which could be revisited “if circumstances warrant,” University of Maryland, Baltimore, spokesperson Alex Likowski wrote in an email.
Swalwell was among the favorites to take the reins from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited from seeking reelection later this year but whom many have floated as a possible 2028 presidential candidate. Swalwell suspended his campaign on April 12.
U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney, a Maryland Democrat, was among a bipartisan group of lawmakers who called on Swalwell and Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican who admitted to having an affair with a former staffer who later died by suicide, to resign. Gonzales also announced his resignation on April 13.








Comments
Welcome to The Banner's subscriber-only commenting community. Please review our community guidelines.