The adage, “anything that can go wrong will go wrong,” feels particularly apt when considering the recent unraveling of Eric Swalwell’s political career. The California representative, once viewed as a rising star, has abruptly withdrawn from the gubernatorial race and resigned from Congress, facing a cascade of serious allegations.
The accusations center around claims of sexual assault made by young female staffers. Swalwell, a married man and father of three, has largely disappeared from public view, a retreat widely interpreted as an attempt to address the personal fallout from the mounting scandal.
However, the public scrutiny hasn’t subsided. Instead, the situation has intensified with a particularly disturbing account coming to light. Lonna Drewes publicly alleged a brutal assault, detailing a horrific encounter with Swalwell.
“He raped me, and he choked me,” Drewes stated during a news conference. “And while he was choking me, I lost consciousness. I thought I died.” She described initial meetings as friendly, offering assistance with her software company, before culminating in the alleged attack at a West Hollywood hotel.
Swalwell’s legal team has vehemently denied the accusations, dismissing them as “false, fabricated and deeply offensive,” characterizing them as a politically motivated attack. Swalwell himself has acknowledged failing his wife, but maintains his innocence regarding the assault claims.
Adding another layer to the controversy, independent researchers have begun uncovering potentially damaging evidence. Journalists and campaign finance experts have documented a financial record placing Swalwell at the location and time of the alleged assault.
A receipt surfaced showing campaign travel expenses at a West Hollywood hotel in July 2018, coinciding with Drewes’ account. The “Swalwell for Congress” campaign reportedly spent $361 at the Montrose Hotel on July 18th, 2018, the date the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has identified as when the alleged rape occurred.
The Sheriff’s Department confirmed the alleged incident took place in the 900 block of Hammond Street, directly linking it to the Montrose Hotel. This discovery adds a tangible element to the allegations, moving beyond solely relying on Drewes’ testimony.
Despite the gravity of the accusations and the emerging evidence, Swalwell has not been formally charged with any crimes. The investigation remains ongoing, and the full extent of the allegations continues to unfold.
