LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California woman, Lonna Drewes, has publicly accused Rep. Eric Swalwell of rape, alleging that the incident occurred in 2018 at a hotel in Southern California. During a news conference, Drewes stated that she had only consumed one glass of wine that evening and has suspicions that Swalwell drugged her before sexually assaulting her.
This revelation arises as Swalwell recently announced his decision to resign from Congress and withdraw from the California governor's race following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct from other women. In light of these serious accusations, Drewes has expressed her intention to report the incident to law enforcement and has documented her experiences through journal entries and discussion in therapy sessions.
'I did not consent to any sexual activity,' Drewes emphasized during her statement, highlighting the trauma she has faced.
Her attorney, Lisa Bloom, indicated that the forthcoming report to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will include journal entries, text messages, and photographs corroborating Drewes' account. The serious nature of the allegations against Swalwell has drawn significant media attention, especially as he has previously denied wrongdoing, referring to the allegations as false while admitting to some errors in judgment.
Drewes, who was working as a model and owned a fashion software company at the time of their encounter, claimed that Swalwell offered to help her build connections in local politics. Their meeting reportedly took place just before the alleged rape, when Swalwell suggested stopping by his hotel room to retrieve documents.
In her account, Drewes described feeling dizzy and heavy-limbed, leading her to believe she had been drugged before the assault unfolded. The allegation is compounded by Swalwell's previous controversies, placing her claims within a broader context of sexual misconduct allegations currently overshadowing his political career.
This unfolding situation calls attention to the ongoing discourse on sexual assault and institutional accountability, heightening awareness of the experiences faced by victims.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: This article includes discussions surrounding sexual assault. For assistance, individuals can reach out to the national sexual assault hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
