Former Democratic congressman Eric Swalwell has been accused of rape by another woman, Lonna Drewes, adding to a growing list of sexual misconduct allegations against him. Drewes came forward on Tuesday, claiming that Swalwell drugged and raped her in a hotel room in 2018. She said she had been hesitant to speak out earlier due to Swalwell's political influence.
Swalwell, who has since resigned from Congress and withdrawn from the California governor's race amid the accusations, denies all allegations of sexual misconduct. His attorney, Sara Azari, called the claims "false, fabricated, and deeply offensive," describing them as a "calculated and transparent political hit job." Azari criticized the timing and coordination of the accusations, asserting that they were not about justice or truth.
At a news conference, Drewes' attorney, Lisa Bloom, dismissed Swalwell's previous public response to other accusers. Swalwell had apologized to his wife while denying the allegations, but Bloom called this "blather and spin." Drewes recounted meeting Swalwell in 2018 while she was working as a model in Beverly Hills. She said Swalwell's wife was pregnant at the time, and that Drewes initially considered him a friend.
According to Drewes, during their third meeting, Swalwell told her he needed to retrieve something he had forgotten at his hotel room. Once there, she alleges he choked and raped her. Drewes said she had only one glass of wine but was unable to move upon arriving at the hotel room, leading her to believe she had been drugged. She described losing consciousness while being choked and thought she had died. Drewes emphasized that she did not consent to any sexual activity. Although she did not undergo a sexual assault examination at the time, she told close friends about the incident. Lisa Bloom said she plans to file a police report with the Los Angeles Police Department regarding Drewes' allegations and mentioned that three other women have contacted her with accusations against Swalwell.
This latest accusation follows claims from four other women last week who accused Swalwell of sexual harassment and rape, prompting a congressional ethics inquiry. Additionally, two women who accused Swalwell of sending unsolicited explicit photos spoke to CBS News, expressing relief that Swalwell is now facing consequences and leaving Congress after years of alleged misconduct.
Annika Albrecht and Ally Sammarco, the two accusers who shared their stories with CBS News, said they felt vindicated but believe there is still work to be done. Albrecht said justice would only be achieved when Swalwell could never harm another woman and had faced consequences for his actions. Sammarco told CNN that Swalwell sent her unsolicited nude photos over Snapchat after they met through Twitter when she was 24 and discussing political careers. She suggested Swalwell resigned to save face amid plans for his expulsion and felt vindicated that his misconduct was finally being acknowledged.
Albrecht said she met Swalwell during a college trip, where he initially acted as a mentor but then sent sexually inappropriate messages on Snapchat and invited her to a hotel room. Sammarco described Swalwell's behavior as acting with "total impunity," believing he would not be held accountable for his actions.
The two women were interviewed alongside Cheyenne Hunt, a Democratic influencer who posted a viral video highlighting several women's accusations against Swalwell, bringing widespread attention to the issue. Hunt told CBS that since her initial video, more than 30 women had contacted her with allegations of misconduct by Swalwell.
Adding to the mounting scrutiny, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office is investigating Swalwell over allegations from an unnamed former staff member. This woman, who was featured in a San Francisco Chronicle article, claimed she woke up naked in Swalwell's hotel bed in 2019 with fuzzy memories of the previous night after going out for drinks with him. Swalwell has also denied this accusation.
Congress resumed from recess on Tuesday, with the House ethics committee preparing to investigate both Swalwell and Texas Republican Tony Gonzales. Gonzales had recently dropped his re-election bid after admitting to an affair with an aide. Both Swalwell and Gonzales officially resigned on Tuesday afternoon.
Separately, Republican lawmaker Anna Paulina Luna told CNN she would provide information to the FBI, noting that agents had sought to speak with Swalwell. The allegations against Swalwell have sparked a MeToo moment on Capitol Hill, where his name and misconduct were widely discussed among lawmakers on Tuesday.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, expressed approval of the resignations and warned that lawmakers must remain vigilant against all forms of misconduct, including sexual misconduct.
These developments mark a significant moment in the ongoing reckoning over sexual misconduct in U.S. politics, with Swalwell's case highlighting the challenges of addressing allegations against powerful figures. The investigations and public scrutiny continue as more women come forward and authorities examine the claims in detail.