A woman has come forward with allegations of sexual assault against former U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell, stating that he drugged and raped her in 2018. The accuser, Lonna Drewes, detailed the incident during a press conference held Tuesday morning in Beverly Hills, California, where she described a violent encounter that occurred in a hotel room.
The allegations have triggered an official investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. According to a statement from the agency, officials are currently investigating a case involving a woman who reported being sexually assaulted by Swalwell confirmed by the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department.
This latest accusation comes as Swalwell faces a mounting list of accusers and significant legal challenges. The fallout from these developments has already impacted his political career; Swalwell has withdrawn from the race for governor and is expected to resign his seat in Congress as reported on April 15, 2026.
Details of the Alleged 2018 Assault
Lonna Drewes, who identified herself as a model and the owner of a fashion software company, stated that she met Swalwell in 2018. According to Drewes, the two had gone out as friends several times before the alleged assault occurred during their third outing.
Drewes recounted that they were intended to attend a political event, but Swalwell told her he needed to retrieve paperwork from his hotel room first. Upon arriving at the room, Drewes claims she found herself incapacitated, stating, “I couldn’t move my arms or my body.” She alleged that Swalwell then raped and choked her, leading to a loss of consciousness.
During the press conference, Drewes emphasized that she did not consent to the sexual encounter. While she did not undergo a rape kit at the time, she stated that she documented the assault in her personal journal and disclosed the events to individuals close to her. She too noted that she discussed the trauma during therapy sessions at a sexual assault center located in Connecticut, which she said led her to self-medicate in an unhealthy manner.
Evidence and Legal Representation
Attorney Lisa Bloom is representing Drewes in this matter. Bloom stated that a forthcoming report to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will include supporting evidence, which consists of Drewes’ journal entries, text messages and photographs according to the legal counsel’s statements.
The incident is reported to have taken place in a West Hollywood hotel as cited in reports from April 14, 2026. The timing of the report to authorities follows the public announcement made by Drewes and her legal team.
Political Fallout and Institutional Response
The emergence of these allegations has created a critical situation for the Democratic party in California. The decision by Swalwell to exit the governor’s race and his impending resignation from Congress mark a significant shift in the political landscape for the state.
The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department has acknowledged the report and confirmed that an investigation is underway. This process will likely involve reviewing the evidence provided by Lisa Bloom, including the digital and written records mentioned during the Beverly Hills press conference.
The case adds to a growing series of accusations against the former congressman, contributing to what sources describe as a mounting list of legal and personal troubles. The investigation will focus on the veracity of the 2018 claims and whether criminal charges are warranted based on the evidence presented to the Sheriff’s Department.
Key Timeline of Events
| Date/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Alleged drugging and rape of Lonna Drewes in a West Hollywood hotel. |
| Tuesday, April 14, 2026 | Lonna Drewes holds a press conference in Beverly Hills to publicly accuse Eric Swalwell. |
| Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | L.A. County Sheriff’s Department confirms an active investigation into the sexual assault report. |
As the investigation proceeds, the focus remains on the evidence submitted by the accuser’s legal team and the subsequent findings of the Los Angeles County authorities. The next confirmed step in this process is the ongoing investigation by the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department to determine if formal charges will be filed.
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