A fifth woman has come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against soon-to-be former Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-14). Lonna Drewes, a former model who currently owns a fashion software company, tearfully recounted a 2018 encounter with Swalwell in which she says he raped her in a West Hollywood hotel room, choking her until she lost consciousness.
Drewes said she “had contact with Eric Swalwell on three separate occasions after meeting him socially,” because he offered connections for the software company.
“He invited me to two public events. I knew he was married at the time and that his wife was pregnant. He was with a friend.
On the third occasion, I believe he drugged my drink. I only had one glass of wine. We were supposed to go to a political event and he said he needed to get paperwork from his hotel room. When I arrived at his hotel room I was already incapacitated and I couldn’t move my arms or my body.
He raped me, and he choked me, and while he was choking me I lost consciousness, and I thought I died.
I did not consent to any sexual activity. Although I did not undergo a rape kit at the time, I disclosed the assault to the people closest to me. I also recorded these events in my handwritten calendar. The assault and its impact were later documented during my therapy sessions at a sexual assault center in Connecticut. It had a profound impact on my mental health. I self-medicated in an unhealthy way. I did not want to live anymore. I cried all the time for years.
At the time, I was in a dating relationship with a boyfriend I was fully committed to. I’ve never cheated in my life and I would never have engaged in a consensual sexual encounter with Eric Swalwell. That reality further underscores the nonconsensual nature of what occurred.
“I believe he drugged my drink.”
“He ra*ed me and he choked me. And while he was choking me, I lost consciousness.”
“I thought I died.”
“I did not consent to any se*ual activity.”
Lonna Drewes details how she claims Eric Swalwell, who had a pregnant wife, assaulted her. pic.twitter.com/7K9jmvUGGF
— Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) April 14, 2026
Drewes’ attorney, Lisa Bloom, released a photo of Drewes with Swalwell at the opening of a restaurant, Avra, in 2018.
She reiterated that her interest in him was not romantic in any way, but that she was interested in pursuing a business relationship with him:
Eric was aware I owned a software company and he spoke repeatedly about his ability to make introductions in Silicon Valley, referencing his political representation and influence there. I was not interested in him romantically, but I was interested in the business relationship and professional connections he offered to provide.
Drewes said that she “will be making a report shortly” to the Los Angeles Police Department, which has jurisdiction over West Hollywood. Bloom said that they do have other evidence, which will be given directly to law enforcement and not released to the media.
(This is a breaking story. RedState will provide updates as they become available.)
