Stephen Cloobeck Arrested in Los Angeles County

Stephen Cloobeck, a former gubernatorial candidate, was arrested in Los Angeles County for allegedly attempting to prevent a witness from testifying.

A former California gubernatorial candidate has been arrested in Los Angeles County, court and jail records indicate, reigniting scrutiny around a brief but unusual political bid.

Stephen Cloobeck, a real estate developer who previously sought the state’s top office, was taken into custody on Tuesday in Los Angeles County. Jail booking information shows he was arrested before 11 a.m. and was booked at the West Hollywood station.

According to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department jail booking records, Cloobeck, 64, was held on $300,000 bail. Records also show he was released at 1:17 p.m. the same day.

The Sheriff’s Department reported that the arrest was made on suspicion of attempting to prevent or dissuade a witness from testifying. The allegation, if proven, would carry significant legal consequences, particularly given how central witness testimony is to resolving criminal cases.

For a short time, Cloobeck was among a crowded field running for governor. His candidacy, though brief, attracted attention as a rare entry from outside traditional political channels, fueled by his real estate success and a personal philanthropic profile.

Cloobeck exited the race in November. At the time, he said he was throwing his support behind then-Congressman Eric Swalwell, a move that effectively ended his bid for the governorship.

It was also his first-ever political campaign. which he funded using money amassed through the real estate industry. according to the account of his background.. Earlier polling showed limited traction with voters. with a UC Berkeley poll co-sponsored by The Times last fall finding he received less than half of 1% support among registered voters.

Cloobeck previously said he launched his run because he could not find a single qualified candidate—until he endorsed Swalwell. That explanation underscored the campaign’s shifting nature: it began as a protest against the options he saw available, then pivoted when he backed Swalwell.

Swalwell later exited the race and resigned from Congress amid a sex scandal reported last month. The sequence of events left Cloobeck without the political lane he had stepped into, raising questions about how rapidly political alliances and reputations can change in modern campaigns.

The arrest now puts Cloobeck back at the center of public scrutiny. even as his campaign history was already marked by an unusual origin and an abrupt end.. Allegations involving witness testimony can be especially consequential for defendants. because they can quickly affect legal strategy. court proceedings. and public trust.

At the same time, the case highlights how political figures can face legal exposure long after their campaigns end.. Even candidates with limited electoral support can become entangled in allegations that carry broader implications for the justice system—particularly when the conduct in question is directly tied to the ability of witnesses to come forward.

Stephen Cloobeck Los Angeles County arrest West Hollywood station California governor race Eric Swalwell witness testimony