Former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., faces a new sexual assault allegation from a woman who said he drugged, raped and choked her in a California hotel room in 2018.
"He raped me, and he choked me. And while he was choking me, I lost consciousness," the woman, Lonna Drewes, said Tuesday at a news conference with her attorneys. "I thought I died."
Authorities in Los Angeles County said Tuesday they're investigating the alleged incident involving Swalwell.
"The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Bureau is investigating a case involving a female adult who reported being sexually assaulted by Eric Swalwell," the department said in a statement. "The investigation remains in its preliminary stages and is ongoing."
An attorney for Swalwell, who resigned from Congress on Tuesday afternoon, said Swalwell "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," attorney Sara Azari continued in the statement. Swalwell previously admitted having made “mistakes,” but he has called accusations of sexual assault “flat false.”
Drewes said that she had contact with Swalwell on a few occasions and that the first two encounters were friendly. "He offered me connections to further my software company," she said.
"I knew he was married at the time and his wife was pregnant" and thought "he was my friend," she said.
She said she believes that on the third encounter, he "drugged my drink."
Drewes said that after she had a glass of wine, Swalwell lured her to his hotel room by telling her he needed to get some paperwork before they went to a political event. By the time she reached the room, she said, she was "incapacitated."
She said that "I couldn't move my arms or my body" and that that is when Swalwell attacked her.
“I would never have engaged in a consensual sexual encounter with Eric Swalwell,” she said, saying she had a boyfriend at the time and have "never cheated in my life."
The encounter had "a profound impact on my mental health," she said. "I did not want to live anymore."
She said she did not have any contact with Swalwell afterward. She said that she did not file a police report at the time but that she "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."
Drewes said she did not come forward earlier out of “fear — fear of his political power, his background as an attorney and his family law enforcement ties.”
Drewes' attorney, Lisa Bloom, confirmed to NBC News on Tuesday that her client has filed a report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's West Hollywood station.
"Lonna is committed to fully cooperating with law enforcement," Bloom said.
The sheriff’s department said in its statement Tuesday that 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 statement said. It also noted that the alleged incident “occurred in July of 2018 in a business in the 900 block of Hammond Street, in the City of West Hollywood.”
Federal Election Commission records show that the Swalwell for Congress campaign expensed two items at the Montrose West Hollywood hotel July 18, 2018, one for $353.19 and one for $7.67. The hotel, now known as the Montrose at Beverly Hills, is located at 900 Hammond Street, West Hollywood.
At their press conference, Drewes and her attorneys said that the alleged sexual assault happened at Swalwell’s hotel room in West Hollywood, but did not name the hotel.
In a statement Tuesday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said: “Our office has assigned our Sex Crimes Division to work closely with law enforcement partners as this investigation unfolds. When and if a case is presented, seasoned prosecutors will review the facts and evidence to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for charges to be filed. When a filing decision is made, we will ensure the public is made aware.”
Swalwell, who has been in the House since 2013, has faced a growing number of sexual misconduct allegations in recent days. He was a leading candidate in the race for governor of California until late last week, when several women, including a former staffer, made allegations against him in the San Francisco Chronicle and on CNN.
The former staffer alleged that Swalwell twice sexually assaulted her when she was too intoxicated to consent. A source familiar with the woman’s account confirmed to NBC News that CNN’s and the Chronicle’s reporting is accurate. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the ongoing legal matter.
Two other women alleged that Swalwell sent them unsolicited photos or videos of his penis. One of those women, Ally Sammarco, confirmed her account of her experience to NBC News.
Another woman said Swalwell kissed her without her consent in public.
NBC News has not independently corroborated the others’ accounts.
On Saturday, the Manhattan district attorney’s office said it was opening an investigation into one of the allegations, of a sexual assault in New York.
In a statement Tuesday, the district attorney’s office in Alameda County, California, said it’s “evaluating” allegations of sexual misconduct involving Swalwell.
“At this time, our office is in the process of evaluating whether any alleged criminal conduct occurred within Alameda County. We will review and assess all available information to determine what further action can be taken,” a spokesperson for the DA’s office said. “These allegations are both deeply concerning and disturbing.”
“No alleged victim has contacted the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office at this point,” the spokesperson added.
In his statement announcing his resignation from Congress on Monday, Swalwell apologized to his family for “mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” but he added that he “will fight the serious, false allegation made against me.”
His attorney’s statement Tuesday said, “We are confident the truth will prevail, and we will pursue every available legal remedy against those responsible for orchestrating this reprehensible campaign of lies.”
Drewes said at her news conference, “I stand with the other women who’ve come forward.”
