Stephen Cloobeck, 64, was photographed outside his $26 million Beverly Hills mansion Wednesday, a day after FBI agents stormed the property in a raid tied to former congressman Eric Swalwell.
The timeshare mogul appeared tense as he stood near his home speaking with two men, according to footage from the scene. The search unfolded Tuesday with agents carrying high-powered rifles and wearing night-vision goggles, though what they sought remained unclear. A source told The Post that Cloobeck kept company servers inside the residence.
The raid was connected to the investigation into Swalwell, 44, a senior law enforcement official said, adding it was linked to a sex worker. The former California congressman is currently the subject of multiple investigations after several women leveled accusations ranging from sexual assault to rape.
Cloobeck’s own legal troubles have mounted separately. He faces three felony counts of attempting to dissuade or prevent a witness or victim from testifying, plus one misdemeanor count of making annoying phone calls, all stemming from the case of his former fiancée, Adva Lavie. Lavie, a former Penthouse Pet and OnlyFans model, is accused of using dating apps to target wealthy older men and steal from them. Cloobeck has since called off their wedding plans.
The timing of the FBI search cut sharply against Cloobeck’s personal calendar. Hours before agents arrived, he had celebrated his birthday Monday at a Malibu restaurant, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.
Cloobeck’s political and financial ties to Swalwell ran deep. He spent more than $1 million supporting Swalwell’s gubernatorial bid, contributed the maximum $39,200 directly to his campaign, and provided a $31,000 trip to France in 2024. The billionaire also frequently hosted Swalwell at his sprawling mansion, where the former congressman filmed a video in April denying sexual misconduct allegations. The following week, Swalwell resigned from Congress and suspended his campaign.
The relationship curdled after the allegations surfaced. Cloobeck eventually booted Swalwell from his mansion, saying he had been deceived by the congressman.
“I am no longer supporting Eric,” Cloobeck previously told The Post. “F—ing tell everyone I’m a libertarian. F— you, Democrat Party. I’m a libertarian now.”
Cloobeck, who ended his own gubernatorial bid to back Swalwell, said the former lawmaker apologized while confirming his own lawyer initially defended Swalwell on CNN. Swalwell eventually hired celebrity attorney Sara Azari, and the huge six-figure payments to the lawyer prompted a state ethics investigation.
Swalwell remains under investigation by multiple prosecutors, including in New York and California, over sexual assault allegations. Earlier this month, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office confirmed it is reviewing the case involving the disgraced politician and Lonna Drewes, a Beverly Hills woman who’s accused him of rape.
In August, federal agents stopped Swalwell at San Francisco’s airport and seized his electronic devices. Attempts to reach Cloobeck for comment after the raid were unsuccessful.
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office is continuing its review of the rape accusation brought by Drewes against Swalwell.
