A recent claim against Rep. Eric Swalwell has sent shockwaves through political circles. Lonna Drewes alleges that during a 2018 encounter in Southern California, she was drugged and raped by the California Democrat.
Drewes believed she shared a friendly relationship with Swalwell before the alleged incident, asserting he spiked her drink and assaulted her in a hotel room in West Hollywood.
At an emotional press conference in Beverly Hills, she expressed her intention to report the allegations to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, equipped with what she described as corroborative evidence such as text messages, photographs, and journal entries.
These accusations contribute to a growing list against Swalwell, with four other women recently voicing similar claims. This wave of allegations has jeopardized his political aspirations, prompting him to withdraw from the California governor’s race and suggest he may resign from Congress.
In her detailed account alongside attorney Lisa Bloom, Drewes recounted, “In 2018, while I was living and working as a model in Beverly Hills, and I also owned a fashion software company, I had contact with Eric Swalwell on three separate occasions.”
She continued, explaining that while he had offered to help her business connections, he also invited her to two public events. She was aware he was married, stating, “We were supposed to go to a political event, and he said he needed to get paperwork from his hotel room.”
Upon arriving at his hotel room, she claims she was incapacitated and unable to move, stating, “He raped me, and he choked me. And while he was choking me, I lost consciousness.”
A woman named Lonna Drewes at a news conference just now accused Eric Swalwell of drugging her drink and sexually assaulting her. Here’s part of her statement. pic.twitter.com/6A2gTmtA3S
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 14, 2026
Drewes reiterated, “I did not consent to any sexual activity… The assault and its impact were later documented during my therapy sessions.”
She described the profound impact on her mental health, revealing, “I cried all the time for years.”
She emphasized her commitment in a previous relationship, stating, “I’ve never cheated in my life, and I would never have engaged in a consensual sexual encounter.”
Drewes added that the political pressure in Beverly Hills contributed to her silence for so long, saying, “My delay in taking action against Eric was driven by fear, not doubt.”
As she stands in solidarity with other women who have come forward, she made clear: “I will be making a report to Law Enforcement shortly with my attorneys.”
Bloom confirmed their intent to involve authorities quickly, stating, “Lonna is committed to fully cooperating with law enforcement.”
“We will provide all evidence to encourage a thorough investigation,” she concluded, underscoring Lonna’s right to autonomy and justice.
