Rep. Eric Swalwell’s attorney, Elias Dabaie, stated that the California congressman denies allegations of sexual misconduct, while acknowledging “lapses in judgment,” as multiple women have come forward and Swalwell’s biggest endorsements continued to be rescinded.
“We take these allegations very seriously,” Dabaie said. “The congressman categorically denies any misconduct took place, and we intend to vindicate his rights in court.” The attorney made the comments during a Saturday interview on CNN’s “The Story Is” with Elex Michaelson
Dabaie’s remarks came as Michaelson pressed him on why Swalwell declined to appear on the program after posting a video response online and as questions mount over the allegations, which surfaced weeks before the gubernatorial election.
“The congressman takes accountability for potential lapses in judgment, but again, categorically denies any wrongdoing,” Dabaie said, declining to elaborate further on what those lapses entailed.
When asked directly whether Swalwell admitted to cheating on his wife but not breaking the law, Dabaie said, “I’m not going to get into the details of that. Our investigation is ongoing. A lot of it is privileged.”
Dabaie also questioned the credibility and timing of the allegations, noting their proximity to the election.
“I have to question the timing of these allegations… 25 days out from an election,” he said. “From my perspective, looking at the facts, I do have to question the credibility of these allegations.”
As Michaelson cited evidence presented in reporting, including medical documentation and contemporaneous messages, Dabaie declined to engage in specifics.
“I prefer not to get into those details at this time,” he said. “The investigation is ongoing, and I do plan on vindicating the congressman’s rights.”
Dabaie further stated that the campaign would continue despite calls from Reps. Adam Schiff and Ruben Gallego, among other Democratic allies, to withdraw.
“As of this moment, yes, he intends to continue his campaign,” Dabaie said.
“The notion that all these people pulled their support, I suspect that there are political machinations behind the scenes explaining why the Democratic Party has decided to try to consolidate the vote in order to make sure that a Democratic candidate makes it past the primary. So I’m not surprised to see that.”
Dabaie said the legal team is evaluating next steps after sending cease-and-desist letters to some of the accusers.
“We believe that these claims are false,” he said. “Once we had enough information to determine who was making them, we sent cease and desist letters. And we’re now looking at all available legal options.”
“I haven’t seen any evidence that that ever took place.”
Fox News Digital reached out for additional comment to Congressman Swalwell’s office and his gubernatorial campaign.
Bruxelles veut clarifier les responsabilités des autorités face aux catastrophes climatiques La nouvelle proposition de la Commission européenne cherchera à préciser qui, des autorités nationales…
Everyone wants to hold space for “Defying Gravity,” the powerhouse anthem from Wicked, the Broadway musical-turned-movie blockbuster. But behind the in-your-face themes of female rivalry and friendship, unrequited love, and the unfortunate circumstance of being green, there’s a deeper undercurrent: the alienation that comes when you stand behind what you believe in. The story — […]
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-smoked-meat-sandwich-from-schwartz-s-right-a-bunch-of-montreal-road-work-signs.jpg?id=56122406&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=96%2C0%2C96%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>Complicated language politics, brutal winters, endless potholes, and a religious devotion to hockey. These are just a few things that come to mind when people think of Montreal. </p><p>But how much of that is accurate? Well, only the ones who call this place home can really say for sure.</p><p>With that in mind, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MTLBlog/posts/pfbid02mPFt..." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">we recently asked MTL Blog's social media followers</a> a straightforward question: "What's a stereotype about Montreal you know is simply not true?"</p><p>Those who responded did not disappoint as they tried to dispel general misconceptions visitors (or other Canadians) may have about the island. </p><p>Others, though, took the chance to give Montreal a proper roast and stir up a debate in the process. </p><p>Whether you agree with them or not, here's a look at seven of the most popular answers from our readers.</p><h3>The nightlife is good</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFQcv2CJ_S2/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFQcv2CJ_S2/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Nicknamed "Sin City" and "Paris of the North" during the early 20th century, many Americans flocked to Montreal to get their kicks — especially during prohibition. Since then, Montreal has been consistently highlighted for having a vibrant nightlife scene. </p><p>But many locals don't see it that way, arguing that the glory days of the Montreal party scene are long gone.</p><p>"It was in the late 70s up till the 90s," one user wrote in response to someone calling Montreal's vibrant nightlife scene a false stereotype. </p><p>"It's overpriced!" another chimed in.</p><p>According to the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/canada-top-party-cities-beat-montreal" target="_self">third annual edition of Uber Canada's Nightlife Index</a>, released in October of 2024, Montreal doesn't even crack the top 10 party cities in Canada for 2024. Ouch.</p><h3>Schwartz's has the best smoked meat</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFQaojFxCZ1/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFQaojFxCZ1/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Montrealers take their smoked meat seriously, and when it comes to attracting tourists, <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/oldest-montreal-restaurants-still-open" target="_blank">Schwartz's Deli</a> reigns supreme with its iconic sandwiches and never-ending lineups.</p><p>However, not everyone agrees that Schwartz's product is miles ahead of the competition, with one comment claiming its legendary status is more hype than substance.</p><p>Before folks could chew on that, though, the debate took a turn, and the conversation transitioned into another classic Montreal rivalry: Fairmount vs. St-Viateur bagels.</p><h3>People live in the underground city</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C7PCCZytvoQ/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C7PCCZytvoQ/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>This one came up a lot when we asked locals about the city's <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-tourist-traps" target="_self">biggest tourist traps</a>.</p><p>Apparently, some tourists arrive here believing that Montrealers live in underground city tunnels during the cold winter months. In reality, it's more of a giant shopping mall connected through Metro stations. </p><p>"The tourism industry here has given our 'underground city' an almost mythical status that I find laughable - and somewhat dishonest," one local explained. "I think it would be much more accurate to refer to it as the underground/indoor PART of our city, but that has a far less glamorous/romantic/exciting ring to it."</p><p>"I'm not sure what PR firm got the job to promote the 'underground city' to tourists, but they oversold it," another noted. </p><p>For anyone who's still confused, yes, we do see the light of day — even when it's freezing outside.</p><h3>Montrealers only speak French</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-s7I-btF4z/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-s7I-btF4z/?img_index=1" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>The confusion around this one is understandable.</p><p>Montreal sits in a unique position as a predominantly French-speaking city within a francophone province that enforces strict language laws, yet it exists in an otherwise anglophone country.</p><p>Nevertheless, despite what the street signs say, both languages (along with plenty others) are widely spoken throughout the island. </p><p>"It's actually very bilingual and most people are bilingual," someone wrote.</p><p>"I have lived here nearly all my life and only speak English," another Montrealer shared. "No problems."</p><h3>A lot of people smoke</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDDS5VlPnis/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDDS5VlPnis/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Perhaps it's due to the city's French influence or abundance of terrasses (which you cannot actually smoke on), but many people seem to carry the notion that the bulk of Montrealers smoke cigarettes.</p><p>In reality, Quebec doesn't even crack the top three for provinces with the highest smoking rates.</p><p>As per a 2022 <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1328436/current-smokers-canadians-by-province/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20the%20provinces%20with,Canada%20was%20around%2011%20percent." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">report from Statista</a>, the provinces with the highest share of the population that were current smokers were New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.</p><h3>Montreal rent is cheap</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DE5y__oTg6m/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DE5y__oTg6m/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Montreal has long been considered a city where starving artists and students on a budget could thrive, but that's not really the case anymore.</p><p>While it's still way cheaper than Toronto or Vancouver, as many commenters pointed out, the city's reputation for affordable rent is now just a false stereotype.</p><p>According to <a href="https://www.zumperrentals.com/blog/rental-price-data-canada/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zumper's January 2025 Canadian Rent Report</a>, Montreal is the 11th most expensive Canadian city in whichto rent an apartment, with the average one-bedroom unit going for $1,750.</p><h3>The construction is temporary</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBBexwWsCE4/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBBexwWsCE4/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>The constant construction in this city has become a long-running joke among locals. And anyone that calls Montreal home can confirm that it's probably not stopping anytime soon. </p><p>If your first visit to Montreal includes plenty of "Rue Barrée" signs and orange cones, just consider it part of the scenery. </p>