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3w ago

Swalwell Sues FHFA Director Bill Pulte, Citing Privacy Act and Free-Speech Violations

The complaint says Pulte misused Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac data to retaliate against a Trump critic.

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FILE - Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., speaks during a House Judiciary Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
U.S. Eric Swalwell on Jan. 25, 2023 at the U.S. Capitol Building.
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 17: U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing with Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel in the Rayburn House Office Building on September 17, 2025 in Washington, DC. Patel is facing questions from lawmakers for the second straight day following a contentious hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee where he was criticized for his handling of investigations into the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk and the case related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Rep. Eric Swalwell filed the federal suit in Washington, D.C., seeking an order to withdraw the DOJ referral and monetary damages for alleged Privacy Act and First Amendment violations.
  • Pulte referred Swalwell to the Justice Department on Nov. 13 for alleged mortgage and tax fraud tied to a claimed primary residence; Swalwell denies wrongdoing and cites a sworn affidavit stating the D.C. home is his wife's primary residence.
  • The filing alleges a rapid leak of referral details to media and conservative commentators that publicized information about Swalwell's family home and heightened security concerns.
  • Pulte has made similar referrals against Letitia James, Adam Schiff and Lisa Cook; a judge this week dismissed the James indictment after finding the prosecutor was unlawfully appointed.
  • Justice Department and grand-jury reviews are examining whether unauthorized participants or flawed procedures tainted earlier mortgage-fraud probes involving Schiff and James.