Recent Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings have brought to light a series of payments totaling more than $360,000 from Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) to Darly Meyer, a Haitian American staffer. The payments, spanning from 2021 to the present, have raised questions due to the inconsistency in their reported purpose, ranging from travel expenses to security services.
The transactions, disclosed through Swalwell for Congress and his Remedy PAC, were documented over 75 times with individual payments varying from as little as $53 to over $12,000. In 2024, Meyer received upwards of $120,000, and the trend suggests that he may exceed this amount in 2025.
Meyer, the owner of CYD Global Car Service in North Hollywood, offers luxury transportation services. He is also involved in a Facebook group aimed at supporting the Haitian-American community in the western United States. An additional connection includes Guerline Jozef, a co-administrator of the group and founder of the Haitian Bridge Alliance—an organization known for its opposition to immigration policies from President Trump's administration.
The FEC filings show a pattern of lavish spending by Swalwell's campaign, with expenditures on luxury car services, upscale hotels, and other high-end travel arrangements. Notably, in 2023, his campaign accounted for nearly $17,000 on yacht charters and stays at prestigious hotels globally.
Swalwell, representing California's 15th Congressional District since 2013, has been a prominent member of the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees. His outspoken criticism of President Trump has made him a notable Democratic figure in Congress. However, Swalwell's response to Fox News Digital regarding the questioned payments was terse, insinuating that the expense was justified for security reasons.
Campaign finance experts and former FEC officials, such as Hans von Spakovsky, have highlighted the irregularities in Swalwell's filings as potentially significant, calling for a thorough audit to ensure compliance with federal regulations.
The scrutiny of Swalwell's campaign expenses underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in political financing. As elected officials face ever-increasing scrutiny in a polarized political climate, any discrepancies, intentional or not, may lead to significant consequences, including audits, penalties, and reputational damage.
