Recent Federal Election Fee information and reporting present that then-Rep. Eric Swalwell and now-Sen. Ruben Gallego each used marketing campaign funds for bills tied to Puerto Rico resorts throughout the identical weekend as Gallego’s wedding ceremony in June 2021.
Based on the filings uncovered, Swalwell’s marketing campaign operation recorded two funds on the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico totaling $1,522.11 on June 7, 2021.
An Instagram publish from a marriage visitor tagged that lodge as the placement of Gallego’s wedding ceremony that very same day. On the identical date, Gallego’s personal political operation spent $2,000 on the close by Fairmont El San Juan.
On the time, Gallego was serving within the Home and would later be elected to the Senate in November 2024.
Neither Gallego or Swalwell has publicly posted pictures collectively from the large day, in keeping with the Every day Mail, regardless of questions on their overlapping presence and bills.
Nevertheless, further reporting from Politico Playbook in 2021 indicated Swalwell was current on the wedding ceremony in its Monday, June 7, 2021 version.
Rep. Linda Sanchez was additionally reported to have attended.
Her marketing campaign spending information present $1,809.79 charged to the Hyatt Regency, together with an extra $540.93 labeled as a “lodging deposit” made on Might 18, 2021.
Requests for remark from a number of workplaces relating to the bills weren’t instantly returned.
Federal regulation prohibits the usage of marketing campaign funds for private bills, elevating questions in regards to the nature of the resort expenses tied to the occasion.
Gallego and Sydney Barron Gallego have been legally married in December 2019 in Washington, DC, on the Nationwide Gallery of Artwork.
The couple later went public with their engagement in February 2020 forward of what was described as a June 2021 ceremony in Puerto Rico.
Sydney Barron Gallego works as Director of Authorities Advocacy on the Nationwide Affiliation of Relators, specializing in housing and legislative technique focusing on Home Democrats.
She beforehand labored on Hilary Clinton’s marketing campaign and with the Senate Democrats marketing campaign arm.
Throughout a press convention on Tuesday, Gallego addressed his relationship with Swalwell, saying he had no data of any inappropriate conduct, although he had heard he was “flirty.”
At one level, he turned emotional whereas discussing the state of affairs.
“And it hurts, the truth that he harm lots of people, and it pisses me off that now all of us should cope with all of his BS, his household, the poor victims which can be nonetheless going to have to hunt justice,” Gallego mentioned.
He additionally sharply criticized his former colleague, saying Swalwell “turned excellent at being a predator.” He additional claimed Swalwell “lied to all of us” throughout his tenure on the Home Judiciary Committee, the place he was energetic in efforts tied to Donald Trump’s impeachment.
Swalwell lately introduced he would resign from Congress after being engulfed in allegations of sexual misconduct, together with claims of rape, sexual assault, and unsolicited messages and pictures.
He had additionally suspended his California governor marketing campaign shortly earlier than stepping down and apologized to his household and employees whereas denying the accusations.
The 2 males have been beforehand identified to be shut throughout their time in Congress, with their households sustaining pleasant ties.
Gallego mentioned he had reached out to Swalwell’s spouse via a mutual acquaintance because the allegations surfaced.
Gallego’s personal private historical past has additionally drawn scrutiny.
He’s in his second marriage, having beforehand filed for divorce from Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego whereas she was pregnant.
Court docket information present he knowledgeable her on Dec. 15, 2016 that their marriage was over.
He later moved to seal the divorce filings the identical day, citing their standing as “high-profile public officers” and the chance of media scrutiny.
He subsequently fought efforts by the Washington Free Beacon to unseal the information.
In these filings, Kate Gallego mentioned she was unaware of his intention to finish the wedding and described herself as “with out data” of his declare that it was “irretrievably damaged.”
The divorce was finalized in April 2017. She went on to serve on the Phoenix Metropolis Council earlier than being elected Mayor of Phoenix in March 2019.
