Eric Swalwell’s campaign for governor is over, whether he admits it or not. For weeks, salacious talk swirled in campaign circles, ricocheted through email chains and was served up, like a buzzy side dish, over gossipy lunches from Sacramento to San Diego. The talk revolved around the 45-year-old East Bay congressman, one of the top Democratic contenders in the crowded contest. The rumors involved allegations of inappropriate behavior with young staffers. Pressed by rival camps, pursued by the political press corps, the claims were largely confined to unvetted corners of the internet until Tuesday, when Swalwell’s campaign issued a public statement denying any wrongdoing. The move was a prebuttal. Strategists figured it better to address the online innuendo, even if it meant exposing the allegations to a much wider audience. The campaign’s statement was followed hours later by a categorical denial from the congressman himself. “It’s false,” Swalwell told reporters. He said he never behaved inappropriately with female staff members or had a sexual relationship with any staffer or intern. There were no quiet legal …