Federal agents served a search warrant on Tuesday morning, Oct. 27, at the Beverly Hills mansion of billionaire businessman Stephen Cloobeck, in connection with the federal investigation into former Rep. Eric Swalwell, who represented the East Bay in Congress. NBC Los Angeles cited two law enforcement sources, and ABC7 Los Angeles reported the same link.
An FBI spokesperson confirmed that agents were executing a search warrant that remains under seal. Asked about the search, FBI spokesperson Lourdes Arocho told ABC7: "Early this morning the FBI conducted an operation in the Los Angeles region related to an ongoing criminal investigation. We have no further comment." FBI sources told NBCLA that no arrests were expected at the location. Video showed several agents and yellow caution tape outside the North Roxbury Drive home.
"Mr. Cloobeck was not home when the search warrant was executed and continues to have faith in the judicial process of this country," his attorneys said in a statement to ABC7.
Who is Cloobeck?
Cloobeck founded the Diamond Resorts International timeshare company and backed Swalwell's run for governor. According to ABC7, federal campaign finance records show he contributed more than $23,000 to Swalwell's congressional campaigns since 2017. He withdrew his support in April as sexual misconduct allegations against Swalwell mounted, and said Swalwell had stayed with him at his Los Angeles-area home.
In a separate case, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office charged Cloobeck this year with attempting to dissuade witnesses in the prosecution of his former fiancée. He has pleaded not guilty, ABC7 reported. NBCLA said it was not immediately clear whether Tuesday's warrant was tied to that case or to the Swalwell investigation.
The Swalwell probe
Swalwell ended his campaign for governor and resigned from Congress this year after several women accused him of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault. He has denied the allegations. In August, federal agents seized electronic devices from him at San Francisco International Airport and searched his Washington home. Earlier this month, the LA County DA's office said its sex crimes unit is weighing whether to bring charges in a case involving Swalwell.