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A fifth woman has publicly accused former US Representative Eric Swalwell of sexual misconduct, alleging that the California Democrat drugged and raped her in 2018. The accusation comes as Swalwell has already resigned from Congress and ended his gubernatorial campaign amid a wave of similar allegations.

Lonna Drewes made the allegation during a news conference in Beverly Hills on Tuesday, accompanied by her lawyer, Lisa Bloom. Drewes said she met Swalwell while working as a model in Beverly Hills and interested in local politics. She alleged that after attending two public events with him, a third encounter took a dark turn.

"He invited me to two public events. I knew he was married at the time and that his wife was pregnant. He was my friend. On the third occasion, I believe he drugged my drink. I only had one glass of wine," Drewes said, according to The Guardian. "When I arrived at his hotel room, I was already incapacitated and I couldn't move my arms or my body. He raped me and he choked me and while he was choking me, I lost consciousness and I thought I died."

Drewes said she did not consent to any sexual activity and that she disclosed the assault to close friends, recorded the events in a handwritten calendar, and later documented the incident during therapy sessions at a sexual assault center in Connecticut. She described the alleged assault's impact on her mental health, saying she self-medicated "in an unhealthy way" and cried constantly.

"I did not want to live any more," she said.

Bloom said her firm would file a police report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's office, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage of the allegations has been widespread, with outlets focusing on different aspects of the story. Al Jazeera highlighted Swalwell's resignation and the mounting allegations, including Drewes' accusation. The Guardian provided detailed reporting on Drewes' specific claims, including her account of the alleged assault. BBC News centered its coverage on the reactions of two other accusers, Annika Albrecht and Ally Sammarco, who told CBS News they felt vindicated by Swalwell's resignation. The Jerusalem Post focused on the Manhattan district attorney's investigation and the call by Representative Anna Paulina Luna for Swalwell's expulsion from Congress.

Key Claims

  • Drewes' allegation: Lonna Drewes accused Swalwell of drugging and raping her in 2018, as reported by The Guardian and Al Jazeera. She said she was incapacitated and did not consent.
  • Manhattan DA investigation: The Manhattan district attorney's office confirmed it is investigating sexual assault allegations against Swalwell, according to Reuters and the Jerusalem Post.
  • Resignation: Swalwell announced his resignation from Congress on Monday, one day after suspending his gubernatorial campaign, as reported by Al Jazeera and BBC News.
  • Other accusers: At least four other women have accused Swalwell of misconduct, including Annika Albrecht and Ally Sammarco, who said he sent them unwanted explicit photos, as reported by BBC News. Another former staffer alleged rape in a New York City hotel in 2024, per the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN.
  • Luna's call for expulsion: Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, said she planned to file a motion to expel Swalwell from Congress, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
  • Swalwell's denial: Swalwell has denied the accusations, calling them "absolutely false" in a statement, but also apologized for "mistakes in judgment" and said he would fight the "serious, false allegation" made against him, as reported by BBC News.

Perspectives

Lonna Drewes

Drewes, through her lawyer, has provided a detailed account of the alleged assault and is filing a police report. She said her delay in coming forward was driven by fear of Swalwell's political power.

Annika Albrecht and Ally Sammarco

Both women, who accused Swalwell of sending unsolicited explicit photos, told CBS News they feel vindicated by his resignation. Sammarco suggested Swalwell resigned to "save face" ahead of possible expulsion.

Eric Swalwell

Swalwell has denied the allegations of sexual abuse as "absolutely false" but acknowledged "mistakes in judgment" and apologized to his family and supporters. He resigned from Congress and dropped out of the governor's race.

Political context

Several leading Democrats had urged Swalwell to end his gubernatorial bid, and support from donors and endorsers waned after the allegations surfaced. Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) called for his expulsion from Congress, and an ethics inquiry was opened.

Conclusion

The allegations against Swalwell have led to his resignation and the end of his gubernatorial ambitions. Investigations by the Manhattan district attorney's office and the congressional ethics committee are ongoing. The case continues to develop as more women come forward.