Allegations Against Ruben Gallego Resurface as Eric Swalwell Resigns from Congress

With Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) resigning from Congress after accusations of sexual assault and harassment emerged, scrutiny is being placed on his longtime friend, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), for his own alleged impropriety toward women.

Over the weekend, four women came forward against Rep. Swalwell, alleging that he had inappropriately touched them, sent unwanted sexual texts or images, or taken advantage of them while drunk. In one instance, he allegedly left the victim bruised and bleeding.

Rep. Swalwell denies the accusations, but mounting pressure forced him to suspend his campaign for Governor of California, and threats of expulsion from Congress prompted him to resign.

Sen. Gallego, a well known friend of the controversial congressman, initially told CNN's Lauren Fox and the New York Times' Michael Gold in a brief Washington interview on Monday that he was unaware of Swalwell's "double life," saying, "He tricked many of us."

However, in a Tuesday interview, Sen. Gallego faced criticism over contradicting himself, saying he knew Swalwell was "flirty" for "years," and conveyed that he hoped the allegations against Swalwell were untrue.

The Arizona Senator is now being put under the microscope for his own alleged behavior against women, especially after he attempted to defend Swalwell on social media.

Arielle "Mrs. Frazzled" Fodor, an online content creator, amplified accusations against Swalwell, which Gallego attempted to discredit.

That prompted Simone Kathleen Rossi, a Democratic political strategist, to reply, "If I were you, I’d be more worried about my own skeletons instead of trying to discredit women."

"And for the record, Mrs. Frazzled has a storied internet platform, and dedication to amplifying Democratic organizations such as Defense of Democracy. You could’ve googled her," Rossi added.

In 2009, while Gallego was an aide to Phoenix City Councilman Michael Nowakowski, Maria Alaniz, one of the interns, filed a formal complaint against Gallego, claiming he verbally berated her and loudly pounded his desk before firing Alaniz.

Gallego was ultimately cleared of charges and expressed remorse for his actions.

Despite this, in 2016, Gallego divorced his first wife, current Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, just days before she was expected to give birth to their child, and then sealed the divorce records.

The next year, 2017, Joanna Rodriguez, who worked for former Representative Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), alleged Gallego removed an earpiece and wiped the earwax on her sweater after a TV appearance, apparently as a form of mockery against Curbelo, who was seeking to join the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).

In footage shared by X user @mazemoore, Gallego is seen attempting to shove a hot pepper into an unknown woman's mouth, although the date and context are currently unknown. Swalwell is standing with Gallego in the clip.

"Ruben Gallego's own track record of abusive behavior and trying to cover up for predator Eric Swalwell raises serious questions about his fitness for office," Republican National Committee Spokesman Nick Poche said in comments to Cactus Politics, adding, "Gallego is guilty by association when it comes to Swalwell's predatory behavior."