Swalwell sues Trump administration official over mortgage fraud allegations
A California congressman and candidate for governor filed a lawsuit against a top Trump administration official Tuesday, alleging that a slew of mortgage fraud investigations into top Democrats violate privacy laws and are illegal political retaliation.
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Dublin, announced his campaign for governor last week and on Monday night was endorsed by a billionaire who dropped out of the race.
Earlier this month Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte referred Swalwell to the Justice Department for prosecution over allegations of mortgage fraud, arguing he illegally claimed a home in Washington, D.C., as his primary residence to secure a better loan.
The agency has made similar referrals for California Sen. Adam Schiff, New York Attorney General Leticia James and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
Swalwell’s complaint, filed in Washington, alleges that Pulte’s actions violate the federal Privacy Act and “breached the First Amendment’s bedrock prohibition on viewpoint-based retaliation.”
He accuses Pulte of “scouring” government databases for mortgage records of high-profile Democrats and making false accusations.
Swalwell has been a vocal critic of Trump and served as a manager for the second impeachment trial against Trump in early 2021.
“Director Pulte has combed through private records of political opponents. To silence them,” Swalwell said in a statement. “There’s a reason the First Amendment - the freedom of speech - comes before all others. As George Orwell said, ‘If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.’”
The FHFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
