By Emmanuel Bobby
Former U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell is facing a new and serious sexual assault allegation, as law enforcement officials in California confirm an active investigation into claims made by a woman who says he assaulted her in a hotel room in 2018.
The accuser, Lonna Drewes, publicly detailed her allegations during a news conference on Tuesday alongside her legal team. She accused Swalwell of drugging, raping, and choking her during an encounter in West Hollywood.
“He raped me, and he choked me. And while he was choking me, I lost consciousness,” Drewes said. “I thought I died.”
Authorities confirmed that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has launched an investigation into the alleged incident. According to officials, the case is being handled by the department’s Special Victims Bureau and remains in its early stages.
Investigators said they are in the process of gathering evidence, reviewing available information, and conducting follow-up inquiries. Once completed, the case may be referred to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for a decision on whether criminal charges should be filed.
Swalwell, who resigned from Congress earlier this week, has strongly denied all allegations. His attorney, Sara Azari, issued a statement calling the claims “categorically and unequivocally” false.
“These accusations are fabricated, deeply offensive, and represent a calculated political attack,” Azari said, adding that her client intends to fight the allegations and pursue legal action against those responsible for what she described as a smear campaign.
Details of the Allegation
Drewes said she had interacted with Swalwell on several occasions prior to the alleged assault, describing their earlier meetings as friendly and professional. She claimed that Swalwell had offered to help her expand her software business through connections.
She also noted that she was aware he was married at the time and that his wife was pregnant, adding that she believed their relationship was platonic.
According to Drewes, the alleged assault occurred during their third meeting. She said she suspects her drink was drugged after consuming a glass of wine with Swalwell. She alleges that he then persuaded her to accompany him to his hotel room under the pretense of retrieving paperwork before attending a political event.
By the time she arrived, she said, she was incapacitated and unable to move.
“I couldn’t move my arms or my body,” she said, alleging that this is when the assault occurred.
Drewes emphasized that she would not have consented to any sexual encounter, stating that she was in a committed relationship at the time and had never been unfaithful.
The alleged incident, she said, had lasting emotional and psychological effects.
“It had a profound impact on my mental health,” she stated. “I did not want to live anymore.”
Delayed Reporting and Supporting Claims
Drewes acknowledged that she did not report the incident to law enforcement at the time but said she confided in close acquaintances and documented the experience in personal records. She also stated that the assault and its aftermath were later discussed during therapy sessions at a sexual assault treatment center.
She explained that fear prevented her from coming forward earlier, citing Swalwell’s political influence, legal background, and family ties to law enforcement.
Her attorney, Lisa Bloom, confirmed that a formal report has now been filed with local authorities and said her client is fully cooperating with investigators.
Location and Timeline Under Scrutiny
Authorities indicated that the alleged assault took place in July 2018 at a location on the 900 block of Hammond Street in West Hollywood. Financial records from the Federal Election Commission show that Swalwell’s congressional campaign reported expenses at a hotel located at that address—now known as the Montrose at Beverly Hills—on July 18, 2018.
While Drewes and her legal team did not publicly name the hotel, they confirmed the incident occurred in a hotel room in the same area.
Broader Investigations and Additional Allegations
The case is part of a growing number of allegations against Swalwell that have emerged in recent days, prompting multiple investigations across jurisdictions.
Nathan J. Hochman stated that prosecutors in his office’s Sex Crimes Division are working closely with law enforcement as the investigation unfolds. He emphasized that any decision to file charges will depend on a thorough review of evidence.
In addition to the Los Angeles County inquiry, prosecutors in Alameda County, California, have said they are evaluating whether any alleged misconduct occurred within their jurisdiction.
Separately, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has also opened an investigation into an allegation involving an incident in New York.
Other women have come forward with claims ranging from sexual assault to inappropriate conduct. One former staffer alleged that Swalwell assaulted her on two occasions when she was too intoxicated to consent. Additional individuals have accused him of sending unsolicited explicit images or engaging in unwanted physical contact.
These claims have not all been independently verified, but they have intensified scrutiny around the former congressman.
Political Fallout and Response
Swalwell, who had served in Congress since 2013 and was recently considered a contender in California’s gubernatorial race, announced his resignation earlier this week.
In his resignation statement, he apologized to his family for what he described as “mistakes in judgment” but maintained that the most serious allegations against him are false.
His legal team reiterated that stance Tuesday, asserting confidence that he will be cleared and vowing to challenge the accusations in court.
Meanwhile, Drewes expressed solidarity with other women who have come forward.
“I stand with the other women who’ve come forward,” she said, signaling that her decision to speak publicly was influenced in part by the broader pattern of allegations.
As investigations continue across multiple jurisdictions, the case is expected to remain in the national spotlight, with potential legal and political consequences still unfolding.
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