House Ethics Committee concludes probe into Rep. Eric Swalwell’s interaction with suspected Chinese spy

The House Ethics Committee closed its two-year-long investigation into Rep. Eric Swalwell’s ties to suspected Chinese spy Christine Fang on Tuesday and said it will take no action against the California Democrat.

“As you are aware, on April 9, 2021, the Committee on Ethics informed you that it had determined to investigate allegations raised in the complaint that you may have violated House Rules, laws, or other standards of conduct in connection with your interactions with Ms. Christine Fang. The Committee will take no further action in this matter,” read a letter to Swalwell from Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) and ranking member Susan Wild (D-Pa.). 

The letter, released by Swalwell, warned that “Members should be conscious of the possibility that foreign governments may attempt to secure improper influence through gifts and other interactions.” 

 Fang, also known as “Fang-Fang,” is a purported honeytrap who entered the US from China as a college student in 2011 and allegedly spent the next four years wooing lawmakers to get close to sensitive government intelligence — including Swalwell. 

The California Democrat said that “It’s time to move on” in a statement Tuesday.

“Nearly 10 years ago I assisted the FBI in their counterintelligence investigation of a campaign volunteer. The case and my assistance were briefed to Republican Speaker of the House, John Boehner, and two years later, Republican Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, re-appointed me to the House Intelligence Committee. Neither Speaker questioned my actions nor politicized my cooperation,” Swalwell wrote. “Despite the FBI repeatedly saying I was nothing but helpful and never accused of wrongdoing, this complaint was filed by a House Republican.”

Fang reportedly raised funds for Swalwell’s 2014 re-election campaign and interacted with the congressman at a number of events over several years. 

Federal investigators, who began investigating Fang based on what they considered her suspicious behavior, informed Swalwell about their concerns involving her in 2015.

At that point, Swalwell cut off all contact with Fang and provided information about her to the FBI. 

But the allegations of Swalwell’s relationship with Fang cost him his spot on the House Intelligence Committee earlier this year, with Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) telling Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) that Swalwell and fellow California Democrat Adam Schiff had “severely undermined [the committee’s] primary national security and oversight missions — ultimately leaving our nation less safe.”

Swalwell said Tuesday that the lengthy House Ethics investigation found “no wrongdoing” on his part.

“It’s time to move on. The bipartisan House Ethics Committee had this case for over two years. They had the power of subpoena. They received answers from me in response to requests for information. Today, they are closing this matter and did not make a finding of any wrongdoing,” the California Democrat said.

“If the intent in bringing this complaint and leveling false smears was to silence me that is not going to happen. I will continue to be a voice on behalf of my constituents and a passionate defender of democracy,” he added.