Swalwell Caught: Misusing Office for AI Profits?

Scam text overlaid on distorted 100 dollar bill

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) now faces accusations of violating House Ethics rules by aggressively pitching his AI startup to fellow lawmakers while serving in Congress, raising serious questions about whether politicians are using taxpayer-funded positions to line their own pockets.

Story Snapshot

Swalwell and his former chief of staff repeatedly promoted their AI startup Findraiser to Democratic colleagues through texts, emails, and in-person pitches, potentially violating ethics rules against using official positions for private gain
The startup has generated approximately $60,000 from over a dozen Democratic campaigns, including those of close allies like Sens. Adam Schiff and Ruben Gallego
Six anonymous Democratic operatives described the pitches as “relentless” and “surprisingly universal,” with some claiming they were tied to legislative support
Ethics experts warn that active solicitation of clients using congressional access crosses legal boundaries, even if passive business ownership is permitted

Congressional Office Used to Promote Private Business

Rep. Eric Swalwell co-founded Findraiser in early 2024 with his then-chief of staff Yardena Wolf, marketing it as “ChatGPT for your own campaign database.” The AI tool analyzes campaign donor databases to optimize fundraising efforts. According to a NOTUS investigation published in March 2026, Wolf sent promotional emails from Swalwell’s congressional office as early as September 2024, offering demos and meetings to Democratic campaigns. House Ethics rules explicitly prohibit members and staff from using political influence or official positions for pecuniary gains, including endorsements that imply official leverage.

Relentless Pitching Campaign Raises Red Flags

Six Democratic operatives, speaking anonymously to protect their jobs, described Swalwell’s promotion of Findraiser as unusually aggressive and widespread. The pitches continued into 2026 through various channels including texts, emails, and face-to-face meetings. One source alleged that pitches were linked to requests for legislative support, implying Swalwell leveraged his congressional position to secure clients. Wolf transitioned from congressional chief of staff to Swalwell’s California gubernatorial campaign manager in late 2025, but the promotional activities persisted. The company has become what insiders call a “running joke” and “punchline” among Democratic consultants over the past year.

Close Allies Became Paying Clients

Findraiser secured approximately $60,000 in revenue from more than a dozen Democratic campaigns, with clients including Sen. Adam Schiff, described as an ally, and Sen. Ruben Gallego, characterized as Swalwell’s “best friend.” Swalwell disclosed owning a $200,000 to $500,000 stake in the company but claims he receives no income from it, though Wolf’s income remains undisclosed. Swalwell’s own campaign committees have paid the firm thousands of dollars. Ethics experts note that while lawmakers can earn passive income from businesses, actively soliciting clients using congressional access creates an improper inference of misconduct that violates House standards.

Ethics Rules and Political Accountability

Kedric Payne, ethics director at the Campaign Legal Center, emphasized that active client solicitation via an official position is prohibited, regardless of whether the lawmaker receives passive income. Craig Holman of Public Citizen clarified that market-rate business dealings are legal when conducted privately but cannot be linked to congressional roles. Swalwell’s spokesperson Micah Beasley claims the congressman consulted the House Ethics Committee and insists Swalwell receives no income from Findraiser. However, no formal ethics probe has been announced, and the aggressive self-promotion while running for California governor in a crowded June 2026 primary raises serious concerns about conflicts of interest.

This situation exemplifies a troubling pattern where elected officials exploit their positions for personal financial benefit while claiming technical compliance with ethics rules. For Americans already frustrated with government overreach and self-dealing politicians, Swalwell’s conduct reinforces perceptions that Washington operates under different rules than ordinary citizens. The lack of a formal ethics investigation despite clear evidence of improper conduct demonstrates why voters have lost faith in congressional accountability. Whether House leadership will enforce its own rules or allow this behavior to continue unchecked remains to be seen, but the damage to public trust is already done.