Rep. Eric Swalwell Accused of Violating Immigration and Employment Laws in Nanny Scandal
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., is facing allegations of violating immigration and employment laws to retain a live-in nanny in the U.S. The complaints suggest that Swalwell and his wife, Brittany Swalwell, may have misled authorities to keep their babysitter, Amanda Barbosa, employed. Another complaint accuses Swalwell of using campaign funds to pay the nanny for two years without valid work authorization.
Barbosa, who originally came to the U.S. from Brazil on an au pair visa in 2021, was reportedly paid with campaign funds by Swalwell. Despite her visa expiring, Swalwell initiated the process of sponsoring Barbosa for a green card in December 2022. The complaints allege that campaign expenses labeled as "childcare" were used as a workaround to continue employing Barbosa.
The Department of Labor approved Barbosa's labor certification in 2024, and she received further payments from Swalwell's campaign in 2025. These allegations come at a time when Swalwell is also facing separate accusations of sexual assault, with multiple women coming forward with misconduct claims. Swalwell has denied these allegations and has faced pressure to withdraw from the gubernatorial race.
In response to the allegations, Swalwell released a video denying the accusations of sexual assault, stating that they are false and that he will vigorously defend himself against them. Fox News Digital has reached out to Swalwell's office for comment, as well as relevant government agencies for further information on the matter.