Exclusive: Trump appointee inspired by conservative media outlet to push for probe of Democratic congressman [View all]
Source: Reuters
December 20, 2025 1:39 PM EST Updated 3 hours ago
NEW YORK/WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - A mortgage fraud probe of a Democratic congressman began last month after William Pulte, the Republican head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, referred allegations from a conservative news site to his agency’s inspector general for possible criminal investigation, government emails seen by Reuters show.
On November 12, The Gateway Pundit published an article alleging U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell had improperly listed his Washington, D.C., home as his “principal residence” on mortgage paperwork. Swalwell, a critic of President Donald Trump who represents a Northern California district and is now running for governor of California, an office that requires residency in that state, has said he is a permanent resident of California. According to loan documents, however, Swalwell had listed his home in Washington as his "principal residence."
An email reviewed by Reuters shows Pulte sent a link to the article to the FHFA’s acting inspector general that day, urging him to take all appropriate action "including - if warranted -engagement with the Department of Justice regarding potential mortgage, tax or other fraud related to the representations made in mortgage documents or other items in the below article."
That same day, Pulte also referred the issue to the Justice Department, said a source familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. The FHFA and Pulte did not respond to requests for comment. Pulte has previously defended the initiative, saying mortgage fraud undermines the U.S. housing market.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/trump-appointee-inspired-by-conservative-media-outlet-push-probe-democratic-2025-12-20/
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