Manhattan prosecutor investigates abuse claims against congressman Eric Swalwell

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office says it has launched an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against US congressman Eric Swalwell.

Four women have accused him of misconduct ranging from sexual harassment to rape, including an alleged incident in New York. Swalwell, a leading contender in California's governor race, denies the claims, vowing to defend himself with "facts".

"We urge survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations to contact our Special Victims Division," said the New York City prosecutor's office.

Representatives for Swalwell - who was elected in 2012 to a district near San Francisco - did not immediately respond to the BBC's request for comment.

In urging accusers to come forwards, the distict attorney's office said on Saturday: "Our specially trained prosecutors, investigators and counselors are well-equipped to help you in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered manner."

The investigation came a day after Swalwell said the allegations were "false".

"For nearly 20 years, I have served the public - as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women," the married father-of-three added. "I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action."

The first allegation against Swalwell emerged publicly on Friday in the San Francisco Chronicle.

A former staff member told the newspaper that shortly after being hired to work in his district office in Castro Valley, Swalwell began making inappropriate comments, including soliciting her for sex and sending her sexual messages.

The woman alleged to the Chronicle that she had been assaulted twice by Swalwell.

She told the newspaper the first alleged incident happened in September 2019 after they went out for drinks.

She said the second alleged assault was in 2024, when she said she met Swalwell after a charity gala in New York. On both occasions, she said she was too intoxicated to consent.

The BBC has not been able to independently verify her account or identity, but has contacted her attorney for comment.

CNN published accusations from four women who made accusations of sexual misconduct against Swalwell.

His legal team has sent cease-and-desist letters to two of the accusers, according to the broadcaster.

Swalwell said in a video message on Facebook that he wanted the public to hear directly from him and again denied the allegations.

"I do not suggest to you that I am perfect or a saint," he said. "I've certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past. But those mistakes are between me and my wife. And to her, I apologise deeply for putting her in this position."

Within hours of the accusations surfacing on Friday, Swalwell lost backing for the governor's race from prominent supporters, including Senator Adam Schiff and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Swalwell congressional and campaign aides said in an unsigned statement on Saturday that they were "horrified" by the allegations, US media report.

"We stand with our former colleague, and the other women who have come forward," the statement read. "We believe you should stand with them, too.

"The behavior detailed in these reports is abhorrent, beneath the dignity of those serving in public office and betrays the trust of all Californians."

The allegations surface at a crucial moment in the wide-open primary race to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, and to lead the nation's most populous state, just weeks before voters receive postal ballots.

Among Democratic candidates, Swalwell has been projected to be one of the frontrunners, according to two opinion polls.

But no clear leader has yet emerged from the crowded Democratic field, which risks splitting the vote for the party in the liberal state.

That has raised a terrible prospect for Democrats: they could be frozen out of November's general election if the two Republican candidates finish first in June's primary.