LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California woman on Tuesday said she was raped by Rep. Eric Swalwell in 2018 and now plans to make a report to law enforcement.
Lonna Drewes described the incident during a news conference, stating it took place at a hotel in Southern California after they had attended a restaurant opening. She claimed to have consumed one glass of wine and believes Swalwell drugged her before the assault. Swalwell recently announced his decision to resign from Congress after facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.
“I did not consent to any sexual activity,” Drewes asserted during her address.
Despite being urged to undergo a rape kit, Drewes chose not to but documented her experiences in journals and therapy sessions. Attorney Lisa Bloom stated that these entries, alongside other evidence, will be included in the report to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Drewes recounted her professional relationship with Swalwell, noting that he had offered support in advancing her career, which includes owning a fashion software company.
The incident reportedly escalated when Swalwell invited Drewes to his hotel room under a pretext. She shared that once there, she felt her limbs heavy, leading her to believe she had been drugged. Following the assault, Drewes claimed that Swalwell choked her until she lost consciousness.
This harrowing revelation adds to Swalwell's tumultuous political journey as he faces an onslaught of sexual misconduct allegations. Earlier this week, he expressed his intent to resign from Congress and withdrew from the California governor's race, where he had campaigned on a platform of accountability for others.
