A new accuser says Eric Swalwell sexually assaulted her
LOS ANGELES — A woman who turned to Rep. Eric Swalwell of California for political help said Tuesday that he raped her in a West Hollywood hotel, the latest in a series of accusations that have ended his political career and put him in legal jeopardy.
The woman, Lonna Drewes, a model who works in fashion technology, said at a news conference in Beverly Hills, California, that in 2018, Swalwell had promised to take her to a political event before drugging and sexually assaulting her.
The New York Times has not confirmed her account. Drewes said she told people close to her about the episode at the time it happened, but her lawyers did not make any of them available for comment Tuesday, saying that they planned to share evidence with law enforcement.
“My delay in taking action against Eric was driven by fear, not doubt,” Drewes said Tuesday. “Fear of his political power, his background as an attorney, and his family law enforcement ties.”
Less than two hours after Drewes’ accusations were made public, Swalwell’s office said his resignation from Congress would take effect at 2 p.m. Eastern time. Later Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom scheduled a special election for August to fill his seat.
Swalwell, a Democrat from the San Francisco Bay Area, had been running for governor but suspended his campaign Sunday after reports by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN. In those articles, a different woman gave detailed descriptions of several sexual encounters with Swalwell, including two instances where the woman said she was too intoxicated to give consent. Two other women said Swalwell sent them unsolicited photos of his penis.
Swalwell, who is married with three young children, has vigorously denied engaging in sexual misconduct but has apologized for “mistakes in judgment.”
On Tuesday, Sara Azari, a lawyer representing him, said that he “categorically and unequivocally denies each and every allegation of sexual misconduct and assault that has been leveled against him.”
Drewes said she did not undergo a rape kit or report the episode to the police but had discussed it with people close to her, written about it in her calendar and later talked about it in therapy.
This article originally appeared in .
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