Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, after Pulte referred Swalwell to the Justice Department earlier this month for an investigation into alleged mortgage and tax fraud.
Swalwell’s 19-page civil complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., alleges Pulte improperly obtained his mortgage records from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and violated his privacy. The complaint says the referrals reflect a broader pattern of political retribution by the Trump administration.
The suit argues that Pulte’s practice of acquiring confidential mortgage records from the government-sponsored enterprises and using them as the basis for DOJ referrals is unlawful. It also says the disclosure of Swalwell’s mortgage information harmed his reputation “at a critical juncture in his career,” noting he had just announced a run for governor of California.
Pulte has made similar criminal referrals involving other critics of the Trump administration, including Sen. Adam Schiff, New York Attorney General Letitia James and Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook. The FHFA declined to comment or did not respond to requests for comment.
Separate developments underscore the wider controversy over these referrals. James’s criminal case was dismissed Monday after a judge found the interim U.S. attorney who obtained the indictment was improperly appointed; James has described the prosecutions as selective and vindictive. Trump moved in August to remove Cook after Pulte accused her of misrepresenting information on mortgage documents; Cook has sued, and the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in January on whether Trump can remove her from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
Pulte referred Schiff to the Justice Department in May over alleged mortgage fraud, and reports indicate the Justice Department is investigating that referral. Schiff has denied any wrongdoing.