Lonna Drewes voices her emotions during a press conference where she accuses Rep. Eric Swalwell of sexual assault. The conference featured a photo of Drewes with Swalwell and took place on April 14, 2026, in Beverly Hills, Calif.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
During a Tuesday press conference, a woman claiming to have met former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell in a social setting alleged that the congressman sexually violated her in 2018. She also suspects he laced her drink with drugs when they were coordinating their attendance at a political function.
Lonna Drewes is among at least half a dozen women who have lodged accusations of sexual impropriety against Swalwell. The congressman stepped down from his position on Tuesday, one day following the announcement of a House Ethics Committee inquiry into the claims. On Monday, Swalwell halted his efforts to run for California governor.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has revealed it is initiating an inquiry into the allegations made by Drewes against Swalwell.
Drewes stated that she was employed as a model, resided in Beverly Hills at the time, and managed a fashion technology firm. She recounted having interacted with Swalwell on “three different occasions after meeting him at a social gathering” and regarded him as her “friend.” She specified that the 2018 episode in California represented the third instance where Swalwell had invited her to a public gathering, noting that Swalwell’s spouse was pregnant during that period.
Lonna Drewes reacts during a press conference alleging Rep. Eric Swalwell sexually assaulted her alongside a photo of Drewes with Swalwell, on April 14, 2026, in Beverly Hills, Calif.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
“I think he put something in my drink. I consumed just a single glass of wine. He — we were intending to attend a political event, and he mentioned needing to fetch some papers from his room at the hotel," she recounted. "Upon entering his hotel room, I was already impaired and unable to control my limbs or body. He sexually assaulted and choked me. While he was choking me, I became unconscious and thought I was dying. I did not give my consent to any intimate acts.”
ABC News has not independently confirmed the accusations presented by Drewes.
In a declaration following Drewes' press conference, Sara Azari, legal counsel for Swalwell, communicated that the congressman "firmly and explicitly denies all claims of sexual misbehavior and assault that have been made against him" and labeled the allegations "a calculated and clear-cut endeavor to politically harm and ruin the character of a man who has committed two decades to serving the public."
"We are prepared to challenge these reprehensible and groundless charges with unwavering resolve, courage, and the same commitment that has underscored the Congressman's career in public service. We are certain that the truth will surface, and we are committed to utilizing all available legal avenues against those accountable for organizing this shameful campaign of deceit,” she affirmed.
Lonna Drewes is shown with former Rep. Eric Swalwell in this undated photo.The Bloom Firm
ABC News has contacted Swalwell to solicit his viewpoint on the recent claims.
During her time addressing the media, Drewes noted that the reported incident left an impact on her.
“It greatly affected my emotional state. I turned to unhealthy self-medication. I lost the desire to continue living. I was constantly in tears for many years,” she expressed.
She revealed she hesitated to accuse a powerful person.
“My reluctance to act against Eric stemmed from my apprehensiveness, not uncertainty,” Drewes explained. “I was afraid of his political sway, his background as a lawyer, and his family’s connections to law enforcement.”
However, she included that her experience was recorded in therapy sessions and shared with those close to her.
“Even though I didn’t undergo a rape examination at the time, I confided in my closest confidants regarding the assault. Moreover, I made notes of these happenings in my personal diary. The attack and its effects were subsequently noted during my counseling sessions at a sexual assault recovery center in Connecticut,” Drewes shared.
Drewes further mentioned her intention to submit a police report, stating, “I have been unwavering in my account of what happened. I stand in solidarity with the other women who have stepped forward, and I will promptly communicate the incidents to the relevant authorities.”
Her legal representative, Lisa Bloom, indicated that they will be filing a police complaint “immediately,” and they will hand over to law enforcement evidentiary materials“ … which include texts, diary entries, photographs, and details on individuals with knowledge.”
Bloom also spoke directly to Swalwell: “Your recent assertion that you are merely imperfect, not a saint, is just meaningless rhetoric and public relations spin. Desist from using it. Your insinuation that this matter is strictly between you and your spouse is ludicrous, especially considering it is a slap in the face to the victims,” she remarked.
Arick Fudali, who also represents Drewes, reinforced the necessity for accountability.
“This is divorced from any partisan lines. This is a matter of being held accountable versus being silent. This is not aimed at the ambition to become governor, but at pursuing justice. It is not a matter of where one stands on the political spectrum. It addresses where one finds themselves relative to integrity, reality, and being answerable for one’s actions,” Fudali communicated.
Drewes’ announcement followed allegations by another woman against Swalwell in a CBS interview that aired on Tuesday.
Annika Albrecht stated that Swalwell sent her suggestive communications and extended an invitation for her to meet him at a hotel, which followed an encounter with him during a Washington, D.C. trip she took with her student group when she was a college student.
“He volunteered to act as my guide. As someone with little political experience at that time, or few personal connections, this was a generous offer that I felt extremely fortunate to get,” Albrecht remembered.
She reported to CBS that Swalwell included all the college students in a group chat, then proceeded to add her separately on Snapchat, the messaging app, where she stated she began getting messages of a political nature followed by suggestive messages from the congressman.
“Ultimately, it reached the point where he invited me to a hotel to meet him,” Albrecht shared. “It was unambiguous what his intentions were. At that instant, I ceased all correspondence. I keep reflecting on how fortunate I was not to have gone to that hotel.”
Lonna Drewes (C) speaks alongside attorneys Arick Fudali (L) and Lisa Bloom, during a press conference alleging Rep. Eric Swalwell sexually assaulted her, on April 14, 2026, in Beverly Hills, Calif.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Last week, the San Francisco Chronicle featured an account of a woman who wanted to stay anonymous, who reported being hired at 21 to be an intern in Swalwell’s district office. She mentioned that Swalwell had sexually assaulted her twice when she was too inebriated to give consent. Additionally, CNN has reported claims from three more women who have given detailed accounts of inappropriate behavior on Swalwell’s part.
ABC News has not independently validated all the purported incidents, including those documented by The San Francisco Chronicle and CNN.
ABC News has communicated with Ally Sammarco, a social media content creator who recalled being 24 when she made the acquaintance of Swalwell. She accused the congressman of disseminating inappropriate messages and an unrequested lewd image of himself back in 2021.
Sammarco mentioned to ABC News that she was actively working on Terry McAuliffe’s campaign for the Virginia gubernatorial race and was seeking employment opportunities on Capitol Hill.
She shared that they conversed about the race in Virginia, and then Swalwell provided Sammarco with his private mobile number, which led to what she described as him initiating “more inquisitive personal dialogues.”
She states that in September of 2021, they took their correspondence to Snapchat, where she asserts that he volunteered to distribute her resume and aid her in landing a job. According to reviewed texts by ABC News, he invited her to his office situated on Capitol Hill.
Sammarco recalled that he initially said she would be meeting his staff. However, upon arrival, she stated he escorted her into his office and she “only met him.”
She informed ABC News that sometime in October of 2021, Swalwell purportedly sent her an unsolicited picture of his genitalia, an act she characterized as making her feel “repulsed” and indicating his efforts to “pursue a sexual encounter.”
On Monday, the House Ethics Committee made public that it was embarking on an investigation pertaining to the allegations brought against him.
In a declaration made available on X, Swalwell posted that he is “profoundly regretful” toward his family, team, and those he represents, but that “he will combat the serious, untrue allegations made against me.”
"I am cognizant of endeavors to prompt an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress with no appropriate procedure, within days of an allegation being made, is unjust,” Swalwell said. “However, it also is harmful to my constituents to have my focus divided from my duties. As a result, I intend to tender my resignation from my position in Congress."
Many of Swalwell’s Democratic counterparts have encouraged him to step down since the allegations came to light.
House Ethics regulations forbid intimate relationships between its members and interns or employees, but the House does not have the jurisdiction to investigate issues more than three congressional terms removed from the present.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com