Another woman has alleged that Eric Swalwell raped her, adding to a growing list of misconduct allegations against the former Democratic lawmaker.
Speaking on Tuesday, Lonna Drewes said she had been reluctant to come forward with her allegations that Swalwell drugged and raped her in a hotel room in 2018 because of his political power.
Swalwell has resigned from Congress and withdrawn from California governor's race since accusations against him were reported on Friday. He denies each and every sexual misconduct allegation against him.
These accusations are false, fabricated, and deeply offensive - a calculated and transparent political hit job, his attorney Sara 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, Azari said in a statement.
At a news conference on Tuesday, Drewes' attorney, Lisa Bloom, dismissed Swalwell's earlier public response to other women's accusations - in which he apologized to his wife while denying the allegations - as blather and spin.
Drewes said she met Swalwell in 2018 while working as a model in Beverly Hills, California. She said Swalwell's wife was pregnant at the time, and that she initially considered the congressman her friend.
During their third meeting, Drewes alleged Swalwell choked and raped her in his hotel room. She claimed that after having one glass of wine, she was unable to move when they arrived at the room, leading her to believe she had been drugged.
While he was choking me I lost consciousness and I thought I died, she said. I did not consent to any sexual activity.
Drewes did not undergo a sexual assault exam at the time but told her close friends about the incident. Bloom stated they planned to file a police report with the Los Angeles Police Department regarding the incident and mentioned that three other women had contacted her with similar allegations against Swalwell.
The accusation follows claims by four other women last week, who accused the congressman of misconduct ranging from sexual harassment to rape, prompting a congressional ethics inquiry.
Two women, who accused Swalwell of sending unwanted explicit photos, expressed gratitude for the consequences he is now facing, asserting that Swalwell had acted with impunity for years. Drewes' accusations are part of a broader conversation about accountability in the political sphere, as calls for justice grow.
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is investigating Swalwell based on allegations from another unnamed former staff member, who recounted waking up naked in his hotel bed in 2019 after going out for drinks with him.
As the scandal unfolds on Capitol Hill, it raises significant discussions about sexual misconduct in politics, where Swalwell’s name has become synonymous with serious allegations of unethical behavior.
