WASHINGTON — Business tycoon Stephen Cloobeck, in whose $26 million Beverly Hills mansion former Rep. Eric Swalwell took refuge as the sex scandal that ended his political career broke, claimed Monday that he had ditched the Democratic Party.
“I was blown away!” Cloobeck, 64, raged to a KTTV reporter. “Like blown away. Like, there’s no way I would have endorsed him. It’s such a shock.”
“I am no longer a Democrat!” he added. “I’m now a libertarian Republican, because that’s what a blue dog Democrat used to be.”
Cloobeck, the founder and former CEO of Diamond Resorts International, briefly ran for California governor as a Democrat himself before dropping out this past November and endorsing Swalwell, citing the then-congressman’s “integrity, focus, and willingness.”
When asked if he was still friends with Swalwell Monday, Cloobeck responded unambiguously.
“Eric who? Is that clear? Don’t bust the trust. You bust the trust, OK, you don’t exist in my life.”
On Tuesday, Swalwell and Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) each submitted letters of resignation to avoid possible expulsion from Congress over a pair of sordid sex scandals.
Swalwell, who had been the Democratic frontrunner in the Golden State gubernatorial race, has been accused of sexual harassment and assault, as well as sleeping with subordinates.
One of the Democrat’s accusers, who previously worked in his office, claimed he raped her following a 2024 charity gala, leaving her bloody and bruised.
Start your day with all you need to know Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.
Swalwell, who issued a vague denial of “false accusations against him,” but admitted to “mistakes in judgment,” dropped his gubernatorial bid Sunday evening.
“I am no longer associated with a man that takes advantage of women,” Cloobeck told reporters. “I support women’s rights.”
As The California Post previously reported, Swalwell shot a video denying the initial claims inside Cloobeck’s 9,700-square-foot home, enraging the businessman.
“I was with my counsel and we had a chat with him, I just told him, ‘You busted the trust,’” Cloobeck said. “’I’m shocked, I’m disturbed and get the f—k out of here.’ Then I walked away and that was it.”
