A growing scrutiny surrounds Congressman Eric Swalwell, a prominent voice often critical of his political opponents, following the discovery of unusual financial activity within his campaign and political action committee. Over $360,000 in payments have been made to a single individual, Darly Meyer, raising questions about the nature of their work and the justifications provided for these disbursements.
Federal Election Commission filings reveal a pattern of over 75 payments to Meyer dating back to 2021, with amounts ranging dramatically from modest sums of $53 to substantial payments exceeding $12,000. The stated reasons for these payments are remarkably diverse, shifting between travel expenses, car service, security, and even reimbursements for event flowers and postage.
Adding another layer of complexity, Meyer is the owner of a luxury limousine service, CYD Global Car Service, specializing in high-end transportation. He also manages a large, private Facebook group, “CaliHaitians,” described as a “progressive community” focused on strengthening ties within the Haitian diaspora and offering professional services to its members.
The Facebook group’s leadership includes Guerline Jozef, a co-founder of Haitian Bridge Alliance, an organization actively advocating against border enforcement policies and providing aid to migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. This connection raises questions about potential overlaps between Swalwell’s campaign finances and advocacy efforts related to immigration.
When questioned about the varying classifications of payments – initially listed as “Security Services” and later as “Salary” – Swalwell offered a terse response: “Darly protects me and my family.” However, a search of California’s security licensing database revealed no record of Meyer holding a valid security license.
Meyer himself declined to comment on the payments, further fueling speculation. Experts in campaign finance law suggest these inconsistencies warrant a closer look by the Federal Election Commission, potentially triggering an audit to determine the legitimacy of the expenditures.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Swalwell’s campaign has a documented history of significant spending on luxury accommodations, fine dining, and upscale travel. Past filings show expenditures at lavish hotels in global destinations like Dubai, Berlin, and Paris.
Recent examples include tens of thousands of dollars spent on private yacht charters for fundraising events and nearly $1,700 at Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel. During the final quarter of 2023 alone, the campaign reported almost $90,000 in travel expenses, highlighting a pattern of high-end spending.
The cumulative effect of these financial disclosures is intensifying scrutiny on Swalwell’s campaign practices, prompting questions about transparency and the responsible use of campaign funds. The FEC’s potential involvement could determine whether further investigation is warranted.
