House Ethics Committee ends investigation into Rep. Eric Swalwell, taking no action

Washington — The House Ethics Committee is taking no further action after investigating a complaint alleging possible misconduct concerning Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell's interactions with a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, the committee told Swalwell in a letter that he posted online.

In 2021, the committee told Swalwell it was investigating allegations that he may have violated House rules, laws or other standards of conduct through his interactions with a Chinese woman named Christine Fang. Fang was a volunteer on Swalwell's congressional campaign in 2014, according to Axios, which reported in 2020 that Swalwell received a "defensive briefing" from the FBI about Fang's supposed ties to Chinese intelligence in 2015. Swalwell cut ties with Fang and was not accused of any wrongdoing, the 2020 Axios report said.

The Ethics Committee encouraged Swalwell to contact the Office of House Security for guidance on steps he can take to prevent or address any attempts of improper influence by foreign agents.