A woman identified as Lonna Drewes has come forward with allegations that former California Congressman Eric Swalwell drugged and raped her in 2018. The accusation was made public during a news conference in Beverly Hills on April 14, 2026, as Swalwell officially resigned from Congress following a series of sexual misconduct claims against him.
Drewes said Swalwell initially invited her to a political event but later brought her to his hotel room, citing the need to complete paperwork. She alleged that she was incapacitated after consuming what she believed was a drugged drink, despite only having one glass of wine. She described being unable to move and said Swalwell raped and choked her to unconsciousness.
She did not undergo a rape kit exam but recounted her experience to close contacts and documented the incident in a handwritten calendar. She also spoke about the alleged rape during therapy sessions at a sexual assault center. Drewes explained that fear of Swalwell’s political influence and legal background delayed her decision to come forward.
Drewes claimed she had met Swalwell twice prior to the alleged assault, during which he had offered assistance with her software company. She described him as a friend before the incident.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed on Tuesday that its Special Victims Bureau is investigating a sexual assault report involving Swalwell from July 2018 at a West Hollywood business. Upon completion, the case will be submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for potential charges.
Swalwell’s attorney Sara Azari issued a statement denying all allegations of sexual misconduct and assault, calling them “false, fabricated, and deeply offensive.” The statement described the accusations as politically motivated efforts to damage Swalwell’s reputation.
Multiple women have recently come forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Swalwell. These include claims published by the San Francisco Chronicle from a former staffer accusing him of sexually assaulting her twice while she was intoxicated, and reports of unsolicited explicit messages sent by Swalwell to two other women via Snapchat.
Swalwell’s decision to end his 2026 California gubernatorial campaign and resign from Congress followed a decline in Democratic support amid an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation and calls for his expulsion. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is also investigating sexual assault allegations against him.
Why it matters
The allegations against Swalwell have triggered significant political fallout, including his resignation and investigations by law enforcement and congressional committees. The case underscores increased scrutiny of public officials amid rising awareness of sexual misconduct and abuse of power allegations. Swalwell’s resignation has led to a special election to fill his California congressional seat.
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