Federal authorities executed a search warrant on Tuesday at a Beverly Hills mansion connected to billionaire Stephen Cloobeck, a former Democratic donor and one-time associate of former Representative Eric Swalwell.
A spokesperson for the FBI’s Los Angeles field office confirmed that agents were executing a federal search warrant at the property, which is listed on Cloobeck’s California business filings. The spokesperson noted that no arrests were planned and that the affidavit supporting the search warrant remains sealed.
A Justice Department spokesperson stated that the search was tied to an ongoing criminal investigation, but declined to provide further details regarding the scope or nature of the inquiry.
Cloobeck previously launched a campaign for California governor before dropping his bid and donating more than $1 million to support Swalwell’s gubernatorial candidacy. However, Cloobeck later stated that he severed ties with the former lawmaker after sexual assault allegations against Swalwell surfaced.
Swalwell subsequently resigned from Congress and abandoned his run for governor, though he has denied the allegations against him. The Justice Department previously initiated a criminal investigation into Swalwell, which included an FBI search of his Washington home in August.
Aside from the federal inquiry, Cloobeck faced legal trouble earlier in the year. In May, he was arrested after Los Angeles County prosecutors charged him with attempting to impede victim or witness testimony. He was released on bail and entered a plea of not guilty to all counts in August.
Neither Cloobeck nor his attorney responded immediately to requests for comment regarding the federal raid. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that the agency did not participate in the FBI’s Tuesday operation.
