FACT Files Ethics Complaint Against Swalwell Over AI Fundraising Tool
A conservative ethics watchdog filed a complaint calling for a Justice Department investigation into whether former Rep. Eric Swalwell and his chief of staff used their positions to promote an AI fundraising tool. The complaint cites reports of outreach to Democratic campaigns and lawmakers. Swalwell's financial disclosures value the company between $200,000 and $500,000.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewThe Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust filed an ethics complaint on Wednesday urging the Justice Department to investigate whether former Rep. Eric Swalwell and his chief of staff used their positions to promote Findraiser, Fox News reported. Findraiser is an artificial intelligence political fundraising tool co-founded by former Rep.
Eric Swalwell and Yardena Wolf, according to Fox News. Yardena Wolf served as former Rep. Eric Swalwell's chief of staff and later left to lead his gubernatorial campaign, which is now defunct. NOTUS released reports in March citing Federal Election Commission data showing Findraiser received business from Sens.
Adam Schiff and Ruben Gallego. NOTUS published a follow-up report days after its March report based on interviews with six Democratic Party political operatives and reviews of emailed communications and texts. Former Rep.
They also promoted Findraiser during in-person interactions. Federal Election Commission filings show Sens.
Findraiser received about $60,000 from more than a dozen Democratic campaigns, NOTUS reported. Former Rep. Eric Swalwell's congressional financial disclosures listed his company as worth between $200,000 and $500,000.
A former Swalwell spokesperson stated in March that Swalwell and Wolf consulted with House Ethics personnel about Findraiser. The former Swalwell spokesperson stated that Swalwell receives no income from Findraiser. Yardena Wolf emailed congressional campaigns offering demos for Findraiser while serving as Swalwell's chief of staff, according to NOTUS.
Wolf texted congressional staff below her to set up business meetings with her and Swalwell to discuss Findraiser while serving as chief of staff. Former Rep. Eric Swalwell was removed from the House Intelligence Committee in 2023 over his association with a suspected Chinese spy, Fox News Digital reported.
Citizenship and Immigration Services referred the matter of Swalwell paying his nanny Amanda Barbosa with campaign funds to the Department of Homeland Security for investigation. Swalwell paid his nanny Amanda Barbosa with campaign funds for roughly two years while she lacked valid work authorization, according to Fox News Digital.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
6 events- 2026-04-23 (recent Wednesday)
The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust filed an ethics complaint urging the Justice Department to investigate former Rep. Eric Swalwell and his chief of staff over Findraiser promotion.
1 sourceFox News - March 2026 (recent)
NOTUS released reports citing Federal Election Commission data showing Findraiser received business from Sens. Adam Schiff and Ruben Gallego.
1 sourceNOTUS - Days after March 2026 report
NOTUS published a follow-up report based on interviews with six Democratic Party political operatives and reviews of emailed communications and texts.
1 sourceNOTUS - 2023
Former Rep. Eric Swalwell was removed from the House Intelligence Committee over his association with a suspected Chinese spy.
1 sourceFox News Digital - Roughly two years prior to recent events
Swalwell paid his nanny Amanda Barbosa with campaign funds while she lacked valid work authorization.
1 sourceFox News Digital - Undated recent period
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services referred the matter of Swalwell paying his nanny to the Department of Homeland Security for investigation.
1 sourceU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service
Potential Impact
- 01
Ongoing probes, including the nanny payment referral to DHS, could result in additional ethics reviews for former lawmakers.
- 02
The complaint may affect public perception of Democratic fundraising practices involving AI tools.
- 03
Broader implications for House rules on using official positions for personal business gains.
- 04
Findraiser's business with Democratic campaigns might face reevaluation by clients amid the allegations.
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