No Alameda County victims have come forward in Swalwell case as DAs clash over hotline

OAKLAND, Calif. - Despite multiple public allegations of sexual misconduct against former U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, no one in Alameda County has reported abuse to law enforcement - a gap fueling a dispute between the county's current and former district attorneys over how potential victims should come forward.

District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson on Thursday urged anyone who may have been sexually assaulted to contact law enforcement or victim services, while warning them not to share information with a hotline launched this week by her political rival, former DA Pamela Price.

Jones Dickson and Price said they have not received any reports from county residents accusing Swalwell of wrongdoing. The former East Bay congressman, who recently ended his run for California governor, has denied allegations of sexual assault and misconduct raised in media reports.

Price, who was recalled by voters in 2024 and is running to reclaim her old job, is one of three candidates in the June election, which also includes trial attorney Gopal Krishan. She announced Wednesday that she had opened a hotline for potential victims, saying Los Angeles law enforcement has already opened criminal investigations into Swalwell. She argued Jones Dickson has failed to act and called on her to refer any case to California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

Jones Dickson rejected those claims and accused Price of exploiting the situation for political gain.

"We don't use pain for gain," Jones Dickson said. "(Victims) need to know their privacy and their agency will be protected by this office at all costs. They need to know that we would never put aside their cases and put them in jeopardy by politicizing those cases."

She also warned anyone considering calling Price's hotline not to share personal information, saying it would not be confidential and offered no guarantee of protection.

Price said the hotline would be staffed daily from 9 a.m. to noon for 60 days and was aimed at helping people who may be reluctant to come forward through official channels.

"Someone has to stand up for the survivors of Alameda County," Price said. "We cannot have a situation where survivors have to wait for justice. I know that when there is a predator, there are more victims. There are more people who are afraid who have not come forward."

"The interim district attorney either can't or won't stand up for these survivors," she added. "If she can't or won't do her job, I am ready to do what I have been doing for more than 30 years - standing in the gap for victims."

Price also called on Jones Dickson to recuse herself from any potential investigation, citing their overlapping time at the Alameda County District Attorney's Office - where Swalwell worked from 2006 to 2012 - as well as her past political support for him, claiming she received about $55,000 in campaign donations from Swalwell's campaign and supporting donors.

Jones Dickson, who previously endorsed Swalwell's gubernatorial campaign, denied any conflict and said she would not step aside from any case involving the former congressman.

In 2024, Swalwell threatened to sue Price, alleging she defamed him while criticizing his decision to back her removal as DA.

Without formal complaints to police or prosecutors, however, no criminal investigation has been opened in Alameda County.

Supervisor Nikki Fortunato-Bas, who has previously spoken publicly about being a survivor of sexual abuse, said she supports the "efforts of the District Attorney's Office and community partners to ensure survivors understand their rights and can safety access trusted, trauma-informed services."

"In moments like this, clarity and care matter," Fortunato-Bas told this news organization. "Survivors should never be retraumatized when seeking help. They should be able to come forward when they are ready to connect with resources or seek justice, and know their privacy and agency will be protected every step of the way."

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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 5:57 PM.