A new set of grave allegations has emerged against former U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell, as a woman has accused the California Democrat of drugging and raping her in 2018. Lonna Drewes, who was working as a model in Beverly Hills at the time, detailed the encounter during a press conference on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
The accusations come amid a broader crisis for the former lawmaker. On Monday, Swalwell announced his resignation from Congress following a series of sexual misconduct allegations from multiple women. He had previously suspended his candidacy for the governor of California on Friday, just before the resignation announcement.
According to Drewes, the assault occurred during their third meeting. She stated that while they were intending to attend a political event, Swalwell asked to stop by his hotel room to retrieve paperwork. Drewes alleges that after consuming a single glass of wine, she became incapacitated, leading her to believe her drink had been drugged. She testified that she was unable to move her arms or body upon arriving at the room.
“He raped me and he choked me and while he was choking me I lost consciousness and I thought I died,” Drewes said during the press conference, adding that she did not consent to any sexual activity. These claims have prompted immediate legal and official action, with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirming it has opened an investigation into the claims of rape occurring in a West Hollywood hotel room in July 2018.
Legal Response and the Investigation Process
Lonna Drewes is being represented by attorney Lisa Bloom, who announced at the Los Angeles press conference that she would be filing a police report detailing the accusations. Bloom further dismissed Swalwell’s previous public responses to other misconduct allegations—where he apologized to his wife while denying the claims—characterizing those statements as “blather and spin.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s decision to open an investigation marks a shift from political fallout to a potential criminal matter. While the former congressman has already exited his political role, the investigation will focus on the specific events of July 2018. Drewes noted that she had been reluctant to come forward previously due to Swalwell’s “political power.”
The timing of the allegations is significant, as Drewes mentioned that at the time of the 2018 encounter, Swalwell’s wife was pregnant. Drewes stated she had initially considered the congressman a friend and had met him three times while she was developing a fashion software company and considering a potential political career.
Swalwell’s Defense and Denial
Eric Swalwell has vehemently denied the allegations. Through his attorney, Sara Azari, the former lawmaker has characterized the accusations as “false, fabricated, and deeply offensive.” Azari described the situation as a “calculated and transparent political hit job,” suggesting that the coordinated rollout and timing of the claims indicate a political motive rather than a pursuit of justice.
While Swalwell has acknowledged making undefined “mistakes” in the past, he continues to deny “each and every” sexual misconduct allegation brought against him. His other attorney, Elias Dabaie, did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the specific allegations made by Lonna Drewes.
The contrast between the legal strategy of the accusers and the defense of the former representative highlights the volatility of the situation. While the defense points toward a political conspiracy, the BBC reports that the growing list of misconduct allegations eventually led to Swalwell’s decision to withdraw from the gubernatorial race and resign his seat in the House of Representatives.
Broader Impact and Context
The resignation of a sitting member of Congress under these circumstances is a rare and severe outcome. The sequence of events moved rapidly from the initial reporting of misconduct on Friday to a suspension of a governor’s race, a resignation from Congress on Monday, and the emergence of a rape allegation on Tuesday.
For those following the developments, the key stakeholders include the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which now holds the primary responsibility for determining if criminal charges are warranted. The impact extends beyond the individuals involved, touching upon the integrity of political offices and the complexities of reporting sexual assault involving powerful public figures.
The case underscores the role of legal representation in these high-profile disputes, with Lisa Bloom playing a central role in bringing Drewes’ claims to the public eye and ensuring they reached law enforcement officials.
Summary of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Friday (April 10, 2026) | Reports of sexual misconduct allegations emerge. Swalwell suspends California governor’s race. |
| Monday (April 13, 2026) | Eric Swalwell announces his resignation from Congress. |
| Tuesday (April 14, 2026) | Lonna Drewes holds a press conference alleging she was drugged and raped in 2018. |
| Tuesday (April 14, 2026) | LA County Sheriff’s Department opens an investigation into the allegations. |
The next critical checkpoint in this matter will be the findings of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigation. Any decision regarding the filing of formal criminal charges will depend on the evidence gathered and the police report submitted by Lisa Bloom. We will continue to monitor the case for official updates from law enforcement.
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