LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California woman has publicly accused Rep. Eric Swalwell of rape, claiming the incident occurred in 2018 at a hotel in Southern California. Lonna Drewes alleges she was drugged before the assault after consuming only one glass of wine on that night. Following her revelation, Swalwell announced he would resign from Congress amid mounting allegations of sexual misconduct from multiple women.
“I did not consent to any sexual activity,” Drewes stated during a news conference, emphasizing the gravity of her claims. Although she did not undergo a rape kit, she reported the assault to close contacts and documented her experiences in her journal. Additionally, her attorney Lisa Bloom stated that these journal entries, along with other evidence, will be submitted to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Drewes, who was working as a model and running a fashion software company at the time, had met Swalwell on two occasions prior to the alleged assault. On the night in question, they were on their way to a political event when Swalwell suggested going to his hotel room to collect paperwork. Drewes recalls feeling her limbs grow heavy, suggesting she was under the influence of a drug.
Swalwell’s resignation follows earlier allegations from other women who have accused him of inappropriate conduct, including sending unsolicited messages and explicit photos. While Swalwell has denied any wrongdoing regarding these allegations, he acknowledged making “errors in judgment.”
Despite the tumultuous circumstances surrounding him, Swalwell had vowed to fight what he called serious, false allegations. His recent downfall adds to the ongoing discussions regarding accountability and behavior patterns among public figures.
For anyone struggling with similar issues, the national sexual assault hotline can be reached at 1-800-656-4673.
