Politics
FBI Searches Beverly Hills Property Linked to Billionaire Stephen Cloobeck
Federal agents searched a Beverly Hills mansion connected to Stephen Cloobeck on Tuesday as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, but authorities have not disclosed its focus. Cloobeck, a former political donor and California gubernatorial candidate, is also facing separate Los Angeles County charges to which he has pleaded not guilty.
FBI agents searched a Beverly Hills mansion linked to billionaire Stephen Cloobeck on Tuesday, opening a new chapter in an investigation whose target and subject remain undisclosed.
The FBI’s Los Angeles field office said agents were executing a federal search warrant at the property, which appears in Cloobeck’s California business filings. The Justice Department described the search as part of an “ongoing criminal investigation” but gave no further details.
Authorities said no arrests were planned in connection with Tuesday’s search. The warrant affidavit remains sealed, leaving the basis for the operation unknown. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it did not participate.
Cloobeck, a former candidate for California governor, previously backed former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign with more than $1 million after abandoning his own bid. He later said he had cut ties with Swalwell after sexual assault allegations against the former congressman emerged. Swalwell has denied the allegations, resigned from Congress and ended his campaign.
The Justice Department has separately opened a criminal investigation into Swalwell, which included an FBI search of his Washington home in August. Authorities have not said whether that investigation is connected to the search at the Beverly Hills property.
Cloobeck was arrested in May after Los Angeles County prosecutors accused him of trying to impede victim or witness testimony. He was released on bail and pleaded not guilty to all counts in August. Those county charges are distinct from the federal investigation announced Tuesday; no link between the matters has been publicly established.
Cloobeck and his attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.