as Eric Swalwell Sexual misconduct case unravels, with new revelations coming Saturday. The California Democrat, considered a frontrunner in the state’s gubernatorial race, violated immigration and employment laws by hiring a Brazilian live-in nanny, the New York Post reported, citing documents filed with the Labor Department and the Department of Homeland Security.
Amanda Barbosa Link by Eric Swalwell
The charges outlined in documents obtained by The Washington Post allege that Swalwell and his wife, Brittany, knowingly continued to employ Brazilian national Amanda Barbosa despite her work authorization lapsed. Barbosa, 33, entered the United States from Rio de Janeiro in January 2021 on an au pair visa and began working for the family later that year.
The couple allegedly misled federal authorities in 2022, when Barbosa’s temporary work authorization was set to expire, according to a complaint filed Tuesday. A separate complaint filed in February alleges that Barbosa was paid “under the table” through campaign funds over a period of about two years when she was not legally allowed to work. Eric Swalwell
Amanda Barbosa’s social media takes center stage
According to the publication, “During 2023 and 2024, Barbosa appeared in numerous social media photos with the Swalwell family, indicating that Barbosa maintained a close relationship and had ongoing childcare responsibilities despite having no known legal work authorization,” according to the complaint filed by the Department of Homeland Security on February 16.
The Washington Post added that campaign finance records reviewed in the documents show that Barbosa was paid $3,914 and $46,930 directly from campaign funds in 2021. After her visa expired in December 2022, Swalwell reportedly began sponsoring her application for a green card, a process that lasted until 2024. During this time, she was enrolled in community college, which would have limited her ability to work off campus due to student visa regulations.
Despite these restrictions, the complaint alleges Barbosa continued to work as a full-time nanny. Social media images cited in the filing show her caring for Swalwell’s children at family events, including White House picnics and vacations. Her now-deleted LinkedIn profile also reportedly listed continuing employment as a private childcare provider from 2021.
$52,000 in child care expenses
Financial records show direct payments to Barbosa were later stopped, but campaign filings show Swalwell himself was reimbursed for more than $52,000 in child care expenses. The complaint alleges this was a workaround to hide ongoing payments and that Barbosa lacked valid work authorization.
“This is a blatant disregard for the law. He is harboring and employing illegal immigrants,” said Joel Gilbert, the filmmaker and activist who filed the complaint.
The U.S. Department of Labor confirmed that Barbosa’s permanent labor certification has been approved in 2024. She was again placed on the campaign payments list in 2025, receiving $38,905, according to Federal Election Commission data.
Eric Swalwell sexual assault case
The accusations come as Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign faces turmoil over multiple sexual assault allegations, including an allegation that a former staffer accused him of rape, which he vehemently denies. Responding to the allegations, Swalwell said: “These allegations are false and occurred on the eve of the election of the gubernatorial front-runner.”
“For nearly 20 years, I have served the public as a prosecutor and a member of Congress, always protecting women. I will defend myself with the facts and take legal action when necessary.”
Swalwell has also reportedly come under scrutiny from the Federal Election Commission for using campaign funds for child care expenses, but no findings of wrongdoing have been released.
