New Accuser Alleges Swalwell Sexually Assaulted Her

A Beverly Hills woman is accusing Eric Swalwell of drugging and sexually assaulting her after she said the Silicon Valley representative promised her political and professional connections.

Lonna Drewes, who told reporters on Tuesday that she was working as a model and a fashion tech company owner in Beverly Hills at the time, said she met Swalwell in 2018 and that the two saw each other three times after meeting him socially.

After offering her connections to further her software company, she alleges that one night when the two were supposed to go to what she described as a “political event,” she had one glass of wine and became incapacitated.

“I believe he drugged my drink,” she said.

The accusation comes a day after Swalwell, facing other sexual assault and misconduct allegations, announced he is resigning from Congress. In his announcement, he said, “I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the past mistakes I did make.”

Swalwell and his attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.

Drewes, who said she had political aspirations of her own at the time, alleges he took her to his hotel room, saying he had to grab some papers, and sexually assaulted and choked her until she lost consciousness.

“I thought I died,” she said.

There was no further contact between the two, said her attorney, Lisa Bloom.

“My delay in taking action against Eric was driven by fear, not doubt. Fear of his political power, his background as an attorney and his family law enforcement ties. I have never doubted what happened,” she said.

Bloom called Swalwell’s denial of allegations made by several other women “laughable” and said his resignation is “not a sufficient consequence for these types of allegations.” She said she planned to file a report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office immediately, including with text messages, journal entries and witness information.