New Accuser Alleges Eric Swalwell Drugged and Raped Her in 2018
In a dramatic press conference held in Beverly Hills on Tuesday, Lonna Drewes came forward with allegations that Democratic congressman Eric Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2018. Drewes claims that Swalwell drugged and raped her in a West Hollywood hotel room, citing his political power as a reason for her delayed disclosure.
Details of the Alleged Assault
Drewes, who was working as a model and owned a fashion software company at the time, stated that she met Swalwell, now 45, and attended two public events with him. She emphasized that she knew he was married with a pregnant wife and considered him a friend. On a third occasion, Drewes alleges that Swalwell drugged her drink during a planned political outing.
She recounted, "I only had one glass of wine. We were supposed to go to a political event and he said he needed to get paperwork from his hotel room." By the time they arrived at the hotel, Drewes said she was "already incapacitated" and unable to move her body. She described the assault, saying, "He raped me and he choked me and while he was choking me, I lost consciousness and I thought I died."
Investigation and Response
Following the press conference, Drewes announced plans to share evidence with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office. Authorities confirmed they are investigating the claims, with the Special Victims Bureau stating the case "remains in its preliminary stages and is ongoing."
In response, Sara Azari, Swalwell's lawyer, issued a statement denying the allegations, saying he "categorically and unequivocally denies each and every allegation of sexual misconduct and assault." Shortly after the allegations surfaced, Swalwell resigned his seat in Congress, effective Tuesday afternoon ET, and had previously suspended his campaign for California governor.
Impact and Broader Context
Drewes detailed the mental health toll of the alleged incident, including self-medication and suicidal thoughts. She explained her hesitation to come forward earlier, driven by fear of Swalwell's political influence, legal background, and family law enforcement ties. "It was a politically unusual, intense time in Beverly Hills, and I was considering a run for city council," she added, noting the pressure to remain silent.
Her lawyers, Lisa Bloom and Arick Fudali, spoke at the press conference, with Bloom emphasizing, "Lonna deserves what all women deserve: autonomy over her own body." Fudali stressed that the issue transcends politics, focusing on accountability. This case follows other reports of women accusing Swalwell of sexual assault and sending unsolicited explicit content, with the House ethics committee opening an investigation into prior allegations.
Earlier in the week, Swalwell apologized for past mistakes but vowed to fight what he called false allegations. The unfolding scandal highlights ongoing concerns about sexual misconduct in political circles, with authorities continuing to probe the claims as Swalwell steps away from public office.
