Lonna Drewes reacts during a press conference alleging U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) sexually assaulted her alongside a photo of Drewes with Swalwell (R) on April 14, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.
Justin Sullivan | Getty Images
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday said it has opened an investigation into claims that former Rep. Eric Swalwell raped model Lonna Drewes in a West Hollywood hotel room in July 2018.
Drewes, hours earlier at a press conference in LA, tearfully described how she believed that Swalwell had drugged her before choking and raping her.
“He invited me to two public events. I knew he was married at the time and that his wife was pregnant,” Drewes told reporters. “He was my friend. On the third occasion, I believe he drugged my drink. I only had one glass of wine.”
“We were supposed to go to a political event, and he [Swalwell] said he needed to get paperwork from his hotel room,” Drewes said.
“When I arrived at his hotel room, I was already incapacitated, and I couldn’t move my arms or my body,” Drewes said.
“He raped me.”
“And he choked me, and while he was choking me, I lost consciousness, and I thought I died,” Drewes said. “I did not consent to any sexual activity.”
Drewes’ high-powered attorney, Lisa Bloom, said during the news conference that she would be filing a police report detailing her allegations against Swalwell, a 2020 presidential contender who has been accused of sexual misconduct by several other women.
Swalwell, 45, is already under criminal investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in New York City in connection with another alleged assault there.
A picture showing Lonna Drewes (L) and former US Representative Eric Swalwell, Democrat of California, is shown during a press conference where she described her claims about sexual misconduct by Swalwell in Beverly Hills, California, on April 14, 2026.
Patrick T. Fallon | Afp | Getty Images
“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Bureau is investigating a case involving a female adult who reported being sexually assaulted by Eric Swalwell,” the department said in a statement.
“The investigation remains in its preliminary stages and is ongoing. Investigators are in the process of gathering information, reviewing available evidence, and conducting follow up inquiries as part of a comprehensive investigative process,” the department said.
“Once the investigation is completed the investigators will present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.”
Drewes’ press conference came several hours before Swalwell’s resignation from Congress, which he had announced on Monday, became effective.
Bloom said, “We will not rest until we get justice for Lonna.”
“I want to say something now directly to Mr. Swalwell: Your recent statement — that you are just not perfect, you are not a saint — is just blather and spin. Stop it,” Bloom said.
“Your statement that this is all just a matter between you and your wife is laughable, if not for the fact that it is a slap in the face to the victims,” the attorney said.
Swalwell, in recent public statements, has denied any criminal wrongdoing, even after copping to unspecified “mistakes” he said he had made.
His attorney, Sara Azari, in a statement on Tuesday, said, “Congressman Eric Swalwell categorically and unequivocally denies each and every allegation of sexual misconduct and assault that has been leveled against him.”
“These accusations are false, fabricated, and deeply offensive — a calculated and transparent political hit job designed to destroy the reputation of a man who has spent twenty years in public service,” Azari said. “The timing, nature, and coordinated rollout of these vile and heinous allegations speak for themselves. This is neither about justice, nor the truth. This is a ruthless and shameless attempt to smear Congressman Swalwell.”
“We will fight these despicable and baseless accusations with the same tenacity, courage, and conviction that has defined the Congressman’s public service,” his attorney said.
Swalwell, who has three children with his wife, suspended his campaign for California governor on Sunday and a day later said he would give up his seat in the House of Representatives.
In his resignation statement on Monday, Swalwell had said, “I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me.
“However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make,” Swalwell said.
