A second woman has come forward with allegations of sexual assault against former Democratic congressman Eric Swalwell, claiming he drugged and raped her in 2018. The accusation adds to mounting misconduct claims that have already prompted Swalwell's resignation from Congress and withdrawal from California's gubernatorial race.
Lonna Drewes, speaking publicly for the first time on Tuesday, detailed her encounter with Swalwell while she worked as a model in Beverly Hills. She described meeting the then-congressman three times before the alleged assault, initially considering him a friend despite his wife being pregnant at the time.
During their third meeting, Drewes said Swalwell claimed he needed to retrieve something from his hotel room. Once there, she alleges he choked her until she lost consciousness and raped her. Drewes reported having consumed only one glass of wine but found herself unable to move upon arriving at the room, leading her to believe she had been drugged.
"While he was choking me I lost consciousness and I thought I died," Drewes stated. "I did not consent to any sexual activity."
Drewes' attorney, Lisa Bloom, announced plans to file a police report with the Los Angeles Police Department regarding the alleged assault. Bloom also revealed that three additional women have contacted her with allegations against Swalwell.
Swalwell's attorney, Sara Azari, issued a strong denial, calling the accusations "false, fabricated, and deeply offensive" and characterizing them as "a calculated and transparent political hit job."
The new allegations follow claims by four other women last week who accused Swalwell of misconduct ranging from sexual harassment to rape, which triggered a congressional ethics inquiry. Two of those women, Annika Albrecht and Ally Sammarco, spoke to CBS News this week, expressing relief that Swalwell was facing consequences after what they described as years of acting with impunity.
Sammarco alleged Swalwell sent her unsolicited nude messages via Snapchat, an app that automatically deletes messages. Albrecht claimed he initiated contact under the guise of mentorship before sending "sexually inappropriate" messages and inviting her to a hotel room.
Democratic influencer Cheyenne Hunt, who first brought attention to the allegations through social media videos, told CBS that more than 30 women have contacted her with misconduct claims against Swalwell since she began posting about the issue.
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is investigating separate allegations from a former staff member featured in a San Francisco Chronicle story, who reported waking up naked in Swalwell's hotel bed in 2019 with hazy memories after going out for drinks with him.
Congress returned from recess on Tuesday with the House Ethics Committee planning to examine both Swalwell's case and that of Texas Republican Tony Gonzales, who admitted to an affair with an aide. Both lawmakers resigned Tuesday afternoon.
The allegations have created what some describe as a MeToo moment on Capitol Hill, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer telling reporters that lawmakers must remain "vigilant" against all forms of misconduct.