California woman says Eric Swalwell raped her in 2018

California Woman Alleges Rep. Swalwell Raped Her in 2018, Plans to Report to Law Enforcement

A California woman has come forward with allegations that Representative Eric Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2018, adding to a growing list of misconduct claims that have already prompted the congressman to announce his resignation from office.

Lonna Drewes made the accusation during a news conference Tuesday in Los Angeles, stating that Swalwell raped her at a hotel in Southern California. According to Drewes, she consumed only one glass of wine that evening and believes Swalwell drugged her before the alleged assault.

“I did not consent to any sexual activity,” Drewes firmly stated during the press conference.

The allegations come just days after Swalwell dropped out of the California governor’s race on Sunday and announced he would resign from Congress this week. His decision followed earlier sexual assault allegations from another woman, which he had previously denied.

Drewes, who identified herself publicly, said she was working as a model and owned a fashion software company based in Beverly Hills when she met Swalwell. She explained that he had offered to help her with professional connections and knew of her interest in local politics.

According to her account, she had met Swalwell twice before the night of the alleged assault. On that evening, the two attended a restaurant opening and were planning to go to a political event afterward. Drewes claimed that on their way, Swalwell suggested stopping at his hotel room to retrieve some paperwork. By the time they reached the room, she said her limbs felt unusually heavy, leading her to believe she had been drugged.

Drewes alleged that Swalwell then raped her and later choked her until she lost consciousness.

Attorney Lisa Bloom, who is representing Drewes, stated that while her client did not undergo a rape kit examination following the alleged assault, she did document the incident in her journal and disclosed it to people close to her. Bloom added that Drewes also discussed the alleged rape during therapy sessions at a sexual assault center in Connecticut.

The attorney indicated that journal entries, text messages, and photographs would be included in a forthcoming report to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Elias Debaie, an attorney representing Swalwell, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on these new allegations.

The congressman’s sudden political downfall began with allegations published in the San Francisco Chronicle and subsequently reported by CNN. Despite initially maintaining his innocence, Swalwell stated, “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s,” signaling his decision to step away from both his gubernatorial ambitions and congressional seat.

Before Drewes’ public accusation, Swalwell already faced allegations of sexual misconduct from multiple women, including at least two other alleged incidents of nonconsensual sex. Additional women have accused him of sending inappropriate messages and nude photographs.

While denying previous sexual assault accusations, Swalwell had acknowledged making unspecified “errors in judgment.”

The five-term Democratic representative from California’s Bay Area has been a prominent figure in national politics, particularly during former President Trump’s first impeachment proceedings. His rapid fall from grace represents one of the more dramatic political collapses in recent congressional history.

Law enforcement officials have not yet commented on whether an investigation into Drewes’ allegations has been initiated.

For victims of sexual assault seeking support, resources are available through the national sexual assault hotline at 1-800-656-4673.