Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-14), who is running for governor, is now dealing with new scrutiny tied to allegations about campaign spending used to pay a live-in nanny who, according to complaints, lacked valid work authorization.
The allegations focus on Swalwell’s claimed employment of Amanda Barbosa, a Brazilian national who worked for the lawmaker’s family. Misryoum newsroom reported that Barbosa came to the United States on an au pair visa and was hired in 2021. Federal Election Commission data cited by Misryoum showed she was paid $3,914 in campaign funds in 2021 and $46,930 in 2022.
In December 2022, Swalwell sponsored Barbosa for a green card as her visa was set to expire. Misryoum editorial desk noted that the timing matters because a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) complaint filed by filmmaker Joel Gilbert alleged Barbosa continued working for the Swalwell family through 2023 and 2024 without valid work authorization. Payments from the family to Barbosa, however, reportedly ceased during that period, though Misryoum analysis indicates campaign reimbursements continued.
According to Misryoum reporting, FEC records show $52,262 in campaign expenses for “childcare” were reimbursed to Rep. Swalwell. The DHS complaint describes those payments as a workaround to keep the arrangement going. It also says the payments were structured in a way that avoided paying Barbosa directly as work continued—something critics argue is designed to skirt requirements tied to employment authorization. In one small, mundane detail that keeps coming up in conversations about such claims, people talk about the “day-to-day” role a live-in nanny plays—how you still see her routine even if the billing label changes.
The complaint’s contention is met with other information, too. Misryoum newsroom reported that the Department of Labor told the New York Post that Barbosa’s labor certification was approved in 2024. Separately, Misryoum data shows she received another $38,905 in campaign funds in 2025. A 2022 FEC advisory opinion said Swalwell was allowed to use campaign funds for certain overnight childcare expenses tied to campaign travel when his wife was unavailable, though critics question whether later spending fit within those limits.
This dispute lands while Swalwell is also under fire over separate sexual assault allegations that are hitting his campaign. Misryoum analysis indicates multiple women have accused the lawmaker of sexually harassing—or assaulting—them. A former staffer said he sexually assaulted her in 2019, when she worked for him, and again in 2024 after she had resigned, according to the account described in the reporting. She said the last incident occurred when she was too intoxicated to consent.
Politicians on both sides condemned the revelations and called on Swalwell to drop out of the race. Misryoum newsroom reported that Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) said Swalwell should leave the race now so there can be full accountability without doubt, distraction, or delay. Swalwell, for his part, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor—actually not sure how much anyone will believe that at this point, because the accusations keep stacking up.