Another woman stepped forward on Tuesday (April 14) to accuse former California Congressman Eric Swalwell, who resigned just the day before. Currently, five women have publicly accused Swalwell; Manhattan district attorney Bai Airong confirmed that an investigation has been officially launched into his alleged assault on a staff member.
According to ABC News, a woman named Lonna Drewes held a press conference at Beverly Hills on April 14, recounting her horrific experience of being drugged, raped, and choked by Swalwell in 2018. She said, “I lost consciousness and thought I was dead.”
Drewes is the fifth woman to accuse Swalwell of sexual assault. Facing increasing accusations and legal disputes, Swalwell officially resigned from his congressional position on Tuesday afternoon.
According to the New York Post, 50-year-old Drewes has worked as a model and actress in the past and currently serves as the CEO of a fashion company.
During the press conference, Drewes revealed that her initial purpose in meeting with Swalwell was to establish a “business relationship” and she was very interested in the “professional connections” he could provide. Allegedly, Swalwell told her he could introduce her to people in Silicon Valley. However, during their third meeting, Swalwell allegedly spiked her drink and then took her back to his hotel room.
Drewes claims that he choked her until she lost consciousness and then raped her. She said she did not report the incident to the police because she was afraid of retaliation.
Last Saturday, Manhattan district attorney Bai Airong confirmed in statements to the New York Post and ABC News that their office is investigating Swalwell after a former staff member accused the Democratic congressman of sexually assaulting her in a hotel in New York City; the Manhattan district attorney’s office encourages victims to come forward.
“We urge survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations to contact our Special Victims Bureau at 212-335-9373,” the statement said. “Our skilled prosecutors, investigators, and counselors are here to help you in a trauma-informed and survivor-centered manner.”
The alleged sexual assault took place after a charity banquet in April 2024 in New York City. The victim’s identity has not been disclosed. She claimed to CNN that she was heavily intoxicated at the time and woke up to find herself in a hotel room, with Swalwell assaulting her. She stated that she expressed rejection, but he did not stop.
Reportedly, this victim began working at Swalwell’s Castro Valley district office in 2019 when she was 21 years old. She had experienced sexual assault after drinking with Swalwell in 2019.
On April 10, Swalwell posted a video on social media denying all the accusations, but he submitted his resignation on Monday, which officially took effect on Tuesday afternoon.