Eric Swalwell Resigns from Congress Amid Sexual Assault Investigation in Los Angeles

Eric Swalwell, a Democratic representative from California, resigned from his congressional seat on Tuesday following new allegations of sexual assault made by Lonna Drewes at a press conference in Beverly Hills.

Drewes publicly accused Swalwell of drugging and raping her in a West Hollywood hotel room in 2018. Appearing with her attorneys, Lisa Bloom and Arick Fudali, she said that fear of Swalwell’s political influence delayed her from coming forward sooner. Drewes recounted meeting Swalwell while working as a model and entrepreneur, describing an incident where, after being invited to several events, she alleges her drink was drugged before being sexually assaulted without consent.

Drewes stated she did not pursue a rape kit at the time but documented the incident in a handwritten calendar and discussed its impact in therapy sessions at a sexual assault center in Connecticut. She also disclosed the alleged assault to people close to her. During the press conference, attorney Lisa Bloom said three additional women had reached out with allegations since the event was announced, though further details were not provided.

Later on Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed it had opened a preliminary investigation into Drewes’s allegations against Swalwell. “The investigation remains in its preliminary stages and is ongoing,” the department said.

Swalwell’s attorney, Sara Azari, issued a statement denying all allegations of sexual misconduct or assault. In the days prior to his resignation, Swalwell had also suspended his gubernatorial campaign and faced an ethics inquiry related to separate allegations reported by former staffers and other women, including accusations of sending unsolicited explicit images and messages.

The investigation into the accusations against Swalwell is ongoing. Authorities have not announced any charges or made further information public.