House Ethics Committee Concludes Probe Into Rep. Eric Swalwell’s Associations With Alleged Chinese Spy

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) listens as Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) speaks during a news conference on the introduction of their Protection from Abusive Passengers Act at the U.S. Capitol Building on April 6, 2022. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

A two-year investigation into Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D-Calif.) associations with a Chinese national and suspected spy has concluded, the bipartisan House Ethics Committee stated on May 22.

The Committee announced the news in a private letter (pdf) to Swalwell in which Chairman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) and ranking Democratic member Susan Wild (D-Pa.) explained that no further action will be taken against the California Democrat.

Swalwell published the letter on his official website.

“As you are aware, on April 9, 2021, the Committee on Ethics (Committee) informed you that it had determined to investigate allegations raised in the complaint that you may have violated House Rules, laws, or other standards of conduct in connection with your interactions with Ms. Christine Fang,” the letter reads.

“The Committee will take no further action in this matter.”

Despite the committee’s conclusion, Guest and Wild urged Swalwell to remain cautious and conscious of the possibility of improper influence by foreign agents and governments who they said may attempt to secure improper influence through gifts and other interactions.

“We encourage you to contact the Office of House Security for any guidance on steps you can take to prevent or address such attempts,” the letter reads.

Christine Fang with then-Dublin, Calif., City Council member Eric Swalwell at an October 2012 student event. Screenshot/Social media

Political Intelligence, Influence Operations

Swalwell has been embroiled in the Chinese spy saga since 2020, when reports emerged that he had been targeted by a suspected Chinese intelligence operative known as Fang Fang or Christine Fang.

According to a December 2020 report by Axios, Fang, who enrolled as a student at California State University–East Bay in 2011, had targeted Swalwell and other political figures between 2011 and 2015 after meeting him in Dublin, California, when he was a city council member.

Fang also reportedly took part in a fundraising activity for Swalwell’s 2014 reelection campaign.

A year later, in 2015, Swalwell was appointed to the House Intelligence Committee, at which time federal investigators alerted him that they were concerned by Fang’s suspicious activity and behavior and suspected that she was gathering political intelligence and conducting influence operations in the Bay Area.

The Democrat immediately cut ties with Fang, who promptly left the country, according to the report.

Swalwell has maintained that he did nothing wrong and fully cooperated with the FBI.

Swalwell Blames ‘MAGA GOP’

However, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) removed Swalwell from the House Intelligence Committee in January amid the ongoing investigation, citing concerns over security.

At the time, Swalwell called the decision an act of “political vengeance.”

He welcomed the conclusion of the investigation in a statement on May 23, declaring that it’s “time to move on” from the case.

“Nearly 10 years ago, I assisted the FBI in their counterintelligence investigation of a campaign volunteer. 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,” Swalwell said.

“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. 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. 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.”

In a separate statement on Twitter, he also accused the “MAGA GOP” of having “falsely smeared” him to silence him.

McCarthy’s office didn’t respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.