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Contains allegations of sexual violence.
New rape allegation surfaces against former congressman
Lonna Drewes has become the fifth woman to publicly accuse Eric Swalwell of sexual misconduct, alleging the former Democratic lawmaker drugged and raped her in a Beverly Hills hotel room in 2018. Her claims follow four other women who came forward last week with accusations ranging from harassment to assault.
Drewes details alleged assault
Drewes, who met Swalwell while working as a model in 2018, said she initially considered him a friend. During their third meeting, she alleged Swalwell lured her to his hotel room under the pretense of retrieving a forgotten item. She reported losing consciousness after drinking one glass of wine, believing she had been drugged.
"While he was choking me I lost consciousness and I thought I died. I did not consent to any sexual activity."
Lonna Drewes
Drewes said she confided in close friends about the incident but did not undergo a sexual assault examination at the time. Her attorney, Lisa Bloom, announced plans to file a police report with the Los Angeles Police Department regarding the alleged assault.
Swalwell denies all allegations
Swalwell, who resigned from Congress on Tuesday, has consistently denied all accusations. His attorney, Sara Azari, called the claims "false, fabricated, and deeply offensive," describing them as a "calculated and transparent political hit job."
"The timing, nature, and coordinated rollout of these vile and heinous allegations speak for themselves. This is neither about justice, nor the truth."
Sara Azari, Swalwell's attorney
Bloom dismissed Swalwell's earlier public response-where he apologized to his wife while denying the allegations-as "blather and spin."
Additional accusers come forward
Two women, Annika Albrecht and Ally Sammarco, told CBS News this week that Swalwell sent them unsolicited explicit messages via Snapchat. Albrecht, who met Swalwell during a college trip, said he initiated contact under the guise of mentorship before escalating to inappropriate behavior. Sammarco, who messaged Swalwell on Twitter at age 24 to discuss political careers, said he sent her nude images without consent.
"For me, justice won't be until he can't ever harm a woman ever again, and he has faced the consequences for the women that he has harmed."
Annika Albrecht
Democratic influencer Cheyenne Hunt, who amplified the allegations in a viral video, said more than 30 women had contacted her with similar accounts of misconduct by Swalwell.
Ongoing investigations and congressional fallout
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is investigating Swalwell over allegations from an unnamed former staffer, who told the San Francisco Chronicle she woke up naked in his hotel bed in 2019 with fragmented memories of the night. Swalwell has denied this claim as well.
The House Ethics Committee is set to review inquiries into both Swalwell and Texas Republican Tony Gonzales, who also resigned Tuesday after admitting to an affair with an aide. Republican lawmaker Anna Paulina Luna said she would cooperate with an FBI request to speak with Swalwell.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, told reporters he welcomed the resignations, emphasizing the need for vigilance against misconduct on Capitol Hill. The allegations have sparked widespread discussion in Congress, with lawmakers describing the situation as a "MeToo moment" for the institution.
