A story emerged recently concerning Congressman Eric Swalwell and the details surrounding his Washington D.C. mortgage. The focus centers on whether the property was falsely designated as his ‘principal residence,’ a claim that quickly escalated into a referral to the Department of Justice for potential mortgage fraud.
This referral wasn’t an isolated incident. The Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Bill Pulte, has reportedly made similar allegations against other prominent Democratic figures, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Senator Adam Schiff, raising questions about a pattern of scrutiny.
In a surprising move coinciding with his recent announcement to run for California governor, Swalwell filed a civil lawsuit against Pulte. The suit alleges violations of the Privacy Act and First Amendment rights, claiming the referral was fueled by politically motivated misuse of government databases.
Swalwell’s legal argument hinges on the assertion that he explicitly stated, in a sworn affidavit attached to his mortgage agreement, that he did not intend to occupy the D.C. home as his primary residence. He claims the property was intended solely for his wife’s use.
However, a close examination of Swalwell’s Deed of Trust reveals a different picture. The document contains no disclaimer stating the property wouldn’t be his principal residence. There’s no affidavit, rider, or statement assigning exclusive use to his wife, nor any indication he wouldn’t reside there.
Both Eric Swalwell and his wife, Brittany Watts Swalwell, are listed jointly as borrowers and both signed the Deed of Trust. The sole affidavit they signed pertains only to D.C. tax classification for the residential property, offering no support for Swalwell’s current claims.
The lawsuit itself appears to weave in broader political narratives. The opening sentence directly links the situation to alleged actions by former President Trump, claiming an unprecedented use of federal power to target political opponents.
Swalwell is seeking both monetary damages and a court order compelling Pulte to withdraw the criminal referral. The case is currently being litigated in federal court in Washington, D.C., promising a potentially revealing legal battle.
