Wealthy donor who sheltered scandal-plagued Eric Swalwell bankrolls GOP rival

California Democrats just lost a megadonor.

Earlier this spring, Los Angeles timeshare mogul Stephen Cloobeck told The California Post he was “done” with Dems after his preferred candidate in the governor’s race — disgraced ex-congressman Eric Swalwell — suffered an epic career collapse in the wake of rape and sexual assault allegations.

Now, Cloobeck is putting his money where his mouth is.

The longtime Democratic Party megadonor made a maximum $39,200 contribution Tuesday to Republican Steve Hilton’s campaign for California governor, according to state campaign records.

The donation marks a hard right turn for Cloobeck, who spent more than $1 million supporting Swalwell’s gubernatorial bid before multiple women accused the former congressman of rape, sexual assault and other sexual misconduct. Swalwell has denied the allegations.

Hilton told The Post that he was introduced to Cloobeck through a mutual friend in Los Angeles and that the two have met several times, though they have not spoken recently.

“I didn’t ask for his support, he just did it,” Hilton said.

“In our conversations, we’ve agreed that California is a complete mess in terms of its management and it needs a common-sense, business-like turnaround.”

Cloobeck did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Cloobeck’s contribution follows a spectacular falling-out with both Swalwell and the Democratic Party, which is also dealing with a revolt among billionaires — and even millionaires — as state voters will decide whether to pass an unprecedented wealth tax in November’s election. 

The billionaire had been among Swalwell’s biggest benefactors, allowing the congressman to frequently stay at his Beverly Hills mansion. Swalwell even filmed a video denying the sexual misconduct allegations from inside Cloobeck’s home.

But Cloobeck quickly severed ties with Swalwell as the allegations engulfed his campaign, kicking him out of the mansion and telling The Post: “F— you, Democrat Party. I’m a libertarian now.”

Cloobeck, who said he had been a Democrat for more than four decades, also said he planned to change his party registration.

“I am done — finito,” he said.

Cloobeck briefly ran for governor in 2025 before dropping out. He previously gave Swalwell the maximum $39,200 campaign contribution and gave him a $31,000 trip to France in 2024.

In recent months, Cloobeck has been embroiled in his own legal troubles involving his former fiancée, Adva Lavie, who prosecutors have accused of using dating apps to target wealthy older men before burglarizing their homes.

Prosecutors charged Cloobeck with three felony counts of attempting to dissuade or prevent a witness or victim from testifying and one misdemeanor count of making annoying phone calls. The charges stem from Lavie’s criminal case.

Cloobeck pleaded not guilty to all charges in August.

Hilton is now preparing for his first — and likely only — general election debate against Democrat Xavier Becerra on Sept. 30.

“[Becerra] said when he was pressed on this that there will be debates — plural,” Hilton said. “There should be more.”

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