Who is Sara Azari? Eric Swalwell’s campaign paid $40,000 to lawyer defending him against sexual assault charges
disgraceful congressman Eric Swalwell He allegedly hired a private investigator to investigate former staffers who might have information about his alleged sex crimes — and a former aide is working with the Manhattan district attorney on an ongoing investigation into him.
Notus reported that Swalwell’s prominent attorney, Sara Azari, hired a professional investigator from the New York firm Beau Dietl & Associates to interview at least one of the congressman’s former aides about their experiences in the office, the New York Post reported.
Here’s what Sara Azari told former employees
The private investigator reportedly told former staff members that her aim was to “get to the bottom of” the circumstances surrounding the incident. Swalwell By talking to his former colleagues, she was able to get around the subpoena if the worker agreed to cooperate with her inquiries.
The former staff member was upset by the request and ended the call, according to the website.
Azari said the report lacked accuracy and claimed that no one from Eric’s representatives had “contacted” any witnesses regarding the subpoena.
Azari said Swalwell is not facing any charges.
She noted that Swalwell has not faced any charges or lawsuits regarding “false accusations” and therefore lacks any subpoena power.
Azari, who publicly supported Swalwell, saying “regret is not rape,” received at least $40,000 from Swalwell’s now-defunct gubernatorial campaign, according to the New York Post.
The payment was disclosed in the latest batch of campaign finance filings through April 18. Swalwell He ended his gubernatorial campaign on April 12 after being accused of raping a former staffer after a charity event in New York in 2024 while she was on drugs and sexually harassing several other women.
An attorney who specializes in campaign and election law, who requested anonymity, told The Washington Post that any campaign spending for private investigators must be reported.
“You can’t cover up disputed expenses through other people,” the attorney said. “If a private investigator is paid by a law firm [Swalwell hired]then the PI needs to appear in the report. “
Plaintiffs cooperate with Manhattan D.A.
Ex-staffer who accused Swalwell of rape is fighting manhattan District Attorney.
Additionally, another person, Lonna Drews, claimed Swalwell He drugged and assaulted her in a Los Angeles hotel in 2018.
The former staffer who accused Swalwell of raping her after a charity gala in New York is assisting the Manhattan District Attorney in their investigation of the disgraced politician, CNN reports.
