Another Woman Accuses Swalwell of Drugging and Raping Her in 2018
New Allegations Surface Against Eric Swalwell
In a troubling development, another woman has come forward, accusing Eric Swalwell of drugging and raping her in a hotel room in 2018. This allegation adds to a growing list of misconduct claims against the congressman, which includes accusations from multiple women, one being a former staff member.
– Accuser’s Statement: Lonna Drewes, who spoke with reporters on Tuesday, expressed her trepidation in coming forward due to Swalwell’s political power. She has alleged that Swalwell drugged and assaulted her during a meeting in 2018.
– Swalwell’s Response: The congressman has resigned from Congress and withdrawn from the California governor’s race. He categorically denies all allegations, stating, These accusations are false, fabricated, and deeply offensive – a calculated and transparent political hit job, according to his attorney, Sara Azari.
Details of the Allegation
– Incident Description: Drewes claims she met Swalwell in 2018 while working as a model in Beverly Hills. She believed they were friends, especially since Swalwell’s wife was pregnant at the time.
– Drugging Allegation: During their third encounter, Drewes reports that after sipping only one glass of wine, she felt immobilized and suspected her drink had been tampered with. She alleges that Swalwell later took her to his hotel room, where she says he raped and choked her.
– Loss of Consciousness: While he was choking me, I lost consciousness and I thought I had died, Drewes recounted, emphasizing, I did not consent to any sexual activity.
– Reporting the Incident: Although she did not undergo a sexual assault examination at the time, Drewes confided in close friends. Her attorney, Lisa Bloom, has announced plans to file a police report with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Context of Current Allegations
– Previous Accusations: Last week, four other women accused Swalwell of various forms of misconduct, ranging from sexual harassment to rape, prompting Congress to initiate an ethics inquiry and consider expulsion. Swalwell has been in Congress since 2012.
– Other Accusers Speak Out: Two women discussed their experiences with Swalwell, including Annika Albrecht and Ally Sammarco, who expressed relief that he is facing consequences after years of alleged impunity. Sammarco disclosed that Swalwell sent her unsolicited explicit messages on Snapchat after they initially connected through Twitter.
Ongoing Investigations
– Further Inquiry: The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is investigating Swalwell in relation to earlier allegations from a former staff member, who claims she woke up naked in his hotel room in 2019 with limited memories of the night prior. Swalwell continues to deny these allegations.
– Congressional Actions: On Tuesday, members of Congress returned from recess, with the ethics committee poised to handle inquiries into both Swalwell and Texas Republican Tony Gonzales, who recently admitted to an affair with an aide.
Conclusion
The emergence of these allegations has initiated a pivotal moment concerning sexual misconduct issues on Capitol Hill. While Swalwell has resigned, the question remains whether justice will truly be served for the women who have come forward. As public scrutiny heightens, lawmakers are reminded of the imperative to address sexual misconduct and hold individuals accountable for their actions.
The tide seems to be changing, and as Albrecht articulated, Justice won’t be until he can’t ever harm a woman again.