LOS ANGELES (AP) — Another woman has come forward with sexual assault allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell, claiming the congressman raped her at a Southern California hotel in 2018.
Lonna Drewes made the accusation during a Tuesday press conference, stating she plans to file a formal complaint with law enforcement. Drewes alleges that after consuming just one glass of wine that evening, she believes Swalwell spiked her drink before sexually assaulting her.
“I did not consent to any sexual activity,” Drewes stated.
The congressman’s legal representative, Elias Debaie, has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding these latest claims.
This new allegation surfaces just one day after Swalwell announced his withdrawal from California’s gubernatorial race and his intention to step down from his congressional seat this week. His decision followed previous sexual misconduct accusations from another woman.
According to Drewes, she was operating a Beverly Hills-based fashion software business and working as a model when she first encountered Swalwell. The congressman allegedly offered to provide business connections and was aware of her political interests.
Drewes described meeting Swalwell on two prior occasions before the alleged assault. On the night in question, they attended a restaurant opening together and planned to go to a political gathering afterward. However, Swalwell suggested stopping at his hotel room to retrieve documents, she said.
Once at the hotel, Drewes reported feeling unusually heavy in her limbs and suspected she had been drugged. She alleges Swalwell then raped her and later strangled her until she lost consciousness.
While Drewes did not have a rape examination conducted, she says she confided in close friends about the incident and recorded details in a personal journal. She also discussed the alleged assault during counseling sessions at a Connecticut sexual assault support center.
Attorney Lisa Bloom confirmed that journal entries, text messages, and photographs will be submitted as evidence when filing the report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Swalwell’s rapid political collapse began after initial allegations were reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and subsequently by CNN. Despite the mounting accusations, he has maintained his innocence, stating: “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”
The congressman has faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, including at least two other claims of non-consensual sexual encounters. Additional women have accused him of sending inappropriate messages and explicit photographs. While Swalwell has denied the sexual assault allegations, he acknowledged making unspecified poor decisions.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story discusses sexual assault. Those needing support can contact the national sexual assault hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
