Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) has been hit with a federal criminal referral alleging mortgage and tax fraud related to his $1.2 million home in Washington, D.C., which he claimed as his primary residence.
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte sent the letter on Wednesday to Attorney General Pam Bondi, requesting a Department of Justice investigation into Swalwell’s statements regarding the property purchase, according to the New York Post.
A source familiar with the referral said Swalwell secured millions of dollars in loans and refinancing by claiming the D.C. residence as his primary home.
The designation, the source added, could potentially constitute mortgage fraud, insurance fraud, and state and local tax fraud, among other charges.
The FHFA’s inspector general is also investigating the alleged mortgage fraud.
Swalwell responded to the referral with a defiant statement, framing the case as politically motivated.
“As the most vocal critic of Donald Trump over the last decade and as the only person who still has a surviving lawsuit against him, the only thing I am surprised about is that it took him this long to come after me,” Swalwell said.
The California congressman noted that he joins a growing list of Democratic officials targeted for mortgage fraud by the Trump administration.
“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.
Swalwell emphasized that the referral will not deter him from pursuing his legal actions or speaking out against the former president.
“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,” he said.
He concluded with a pointed quote aimed at Trump: “‘As Mark Twain said, ‘Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.’ Mr. President, do better. Be Better.’”
The federal referral marks a significant escalation in scrutiny of Swalwell’s finances and adds him to a small but growing list of high-profile Democrats facing federal investigations for alleged mortgage-related misconduct.
