The House Ethics Committee has closed its investigation into Rep. Eric Swalwell‘s (D-CA) relationship with a Chinese spy.
The committee’s investigation, which began in April 2021, ended Monday. The panel issued a letter to Swalwell on May 22 to inform him that the panel does not plan to take further action against him.
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House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) removed Swalwell from the House Intelligence Committee in February as a result of the investigation, with the California Republican citing allegations that Swalwell had a relationship with Chinese operative Christine Fang in 2014.
Swalwell touted the letter as vindication on his part.
“Nearly 10 years ago I assisted the FBI in their counterintelligence investigation of a campaign volunteer,” he said in a statement, referring to Fang. “The case and my assistance were briefed to Republican Speaker of the House, John Boehner, and two years later, Republican Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, re-appointed me to the House Intelligence Committee. Neither Speaker questioned my actions nor politicized my cooperation. Despite the FBI repeatedly saying I was nothing but helpful and never accused of wrongdoing, this complaint was filed by a House Republican.”
“It’s time to move on. The bipartisan House Ethics Committee had this case for over two years,” he continued. “They had the power of subpoena. They received answers from me in response to requests for information. Today, they are closing this matter and did not make a finding of any wrongdoing.”
Swalwell then alleged that the original complaint may have been a malicious effort to smear and silence him.
“If the intent in bringing this complaint and leveling false smears was to silence me that is not going to happen. I will continue to be a voice on behalf of my constituents and a passionate defender of democracy,” he concluded.
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Swalwell was one of three prominent Democrats removed from House committees by McCarthy, which drew outrage from Democrats.
Swalwell came under fire in 2020 when a report found that Fang, a Chinese intelligence agent, had targeted several United States officials. She had volunteered on his 2014 congressional reelection campaign, and some alleged that she had a sexual relationship with the California Democrat.
