Eric Swalwell Sends Cease-and-Desist Letter to F.B.I. Over Case Files
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Lawyers for Representative Eric Swalwell have sent a cease-and-desist letter to the FBI to block the release of files from a decade-old investigation into his alleged ties to a suspected Chinese spy, arguing the release would violate federal law and his constitutional rights.
- The investigation involved Christine Fang, a Chinese woman who assisted Swalwell with fundraising; the FBI concluded the probe without bringing charges, and such derogatory information is typically not released if no crime was charged.
- The letter contends that releasing the files would suppress Swalwell’s free speech, interfere with the upcoming California gubernatorial primary, and violate the Privacy Act of 1974, which restricts releasing records without consent.
- The FBI and Justice Department usually withhold such information unless mandated by law or court order, as seen in other cases like the Epstein files, where records were released with redactions to protect privacy.
- Trump administration officials reportedly ordered FBI agents to gather documents from the case, raising concerns among law enforcement about potential public smearing of Swalwell, a vocal Trump critic.
