LA Sheriff’s Department investigating accusation Swalwell drugged, raped woman
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Tuesday they’re investigating allegations from a Beverley Hills woman who accused Democrat Eric Swalwell of drugging and raping her in 2018.
Speaking at a news conference in Beverly Hills earlier Tuesday, Lonna Drewes teared up as she read a statement describing how Swalwell allegedly incapacitated her by drugging her single glass of wine before attending a political event in 2018, brought her to his hotel room, then went on to choke and rape her.
“While he was choking me, I lost consciousness, and I thought I died,” said Drewes, who said she was a model and ran a fashion software company at the time.
Swalwell’s lawyer, Sara Azari, said in a statement that he “categorically and unequivocally denies each and every allegation of sexual misconduct and assault that has been leveled against him. These accusations are false, fabricated, and deeply offensive — a calculated and transparent political hit job designed to destroy the reputation of a man who has spent twenty years in public service.”
“We are confident that the truth will prevail, and we will pursue every available legal remedy against those responsible for orchestrating this reprehensible campaign of lies,” Azari said.
In a statement Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said its Special Victims Bureau was investigating Drewes’ accusation.
“The investigation remains in its preliminary stages and is ongoing,” the department said. “Investigators are in the process of gathering information, reviewing available evidence, and conducting follow-up inquiries as part of a comprehensive investigative process. Once the investigation is completed the investigators will present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.”
The Democrat suspended his campaign for governor Sunday and resigned from Congress Monday after the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN published the accounts Friday of an unnamed woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her twice while she was too intoxicated to consent. Three other women have accused him of unwanted advances, including sending nude photos and explicit messages.
The former Alameda County prosecutor has repeatedly denied previous accusations but apologized in an X post Monday for “mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past.”
Drewes’ attorney is prominent lawyer Lisa Bloom, who represented high-profile plaintiffs in the #MeToo movement. Bloom said they would immediately transmit evidence of the alleged assault, including journal entries, text messages, photographs and witness information, to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and request a criminal investigation.
Drewes said the alleged attack “had a profound impact on my mental health.”
“I self-medicated in an unhealthy way,” she said. “I did not want to live anymore. I cried all the time for years.”
Bloom said three other women had contacted her about possible incidents involving Swalwell since she announced the news conference Monday, but did not provide any details about their claims.
This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 11:37 AM.
