Fifth accuser claims Eric Swalwell drugged her drink and choked her unconscious: ‘I thought I died’
A fifth woman has come forward accusing California Congressman Eric Swalwell of sexual assault.
Speaking alongside her attorneys in Beverly Hills, Lonna Drewes accused Swalwell of drugging her and raping her in 2018 after the opening of a restaurant.
She dramatically alleged Swalwell raped and choked her, and also noted, ‘While he was choking me, I lost consciousness. I thought I died.’
Even an announcement of Swalwell’s imminent departure from Congress doesn’t seem to be stemming the flow of accusations of sexual improprieties being hurled his way.
Lisa Bloom, attorney for the accuser Drewes, told reporters that Swalwell’s impending resignation was a bid to dodge accountability, not an act of it.
‘Once he steps down, the Ethics Committee no longer has jurisdiction to impose consequences on him,’ she said.
The US House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into Swalwell on Monday.
A second alleged victim then went public in a CBS interview aired Tuesday morning, making further disturbing accusations against him.
Lonna Drewes reacts during a press conference alleging US Representative Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat sexually assaulted her alongside a photo of Drewes with Swalwell (R) on April 14, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California
Lonna Drewes speaks during a press conference alleging U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) sexually assaulted her on April 14, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California
Eric Swalwell speaks during the California Democratic Convention in San Francisco, on February 21
Lonna Drewes (L) speaks during a press conference alleging Swalwell sexually assaulted her alongside attorney Lisa Bloom on April 14, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California
Eric Swalwell and his wife Brittany Watts attend the CORE Gala in 2022
At least five women have now accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including rape, sexual assault, and unsolicited messages and photos.
Annika Albrecht, the Swalwell accuser who came forward Tuesday morning, told CBS that, ‘For me, justice won’t be until he can’t ever harm a woman ever again, and he has faced the consequences for the women that he has harmed.’
Albrecht said she too had been invited to meet Swalwell in a hotel room – adding it was ‘very clear what the connotation was.’ She now finds herself thinking about ‘how lucky I am that I didn’t go to that hotel.’
Swalwell announced on Monday that he will resign his Congressional seat after being engulfed by explosive sexual assault and misconduct allegations. The Democrat – who suspended his run for California governor on Sunday – apologized to his family and staff, but insisted the claims are false.
Pressure had been mounting since Friday, when the San Francisco Chronicle published a bombshell report in which multiple women accused him of misconduct.
A former staffer told CNN over the weekend that Swalwell raped her while she was drunk – and that despite her attempts to push him away during the encounter, ‘He didn’t stop.’
Two Swalwell accusers and an influencer who helped get their story out spoke with CBS News in an interview that aired on April 14
Swalwell accuser Ally Sammarco in her CBS interview
He has denied the allegations and vowed to fight them – but over the weekend his political career went into freefall.
In a statement Monday, Swalwell confirmed he would resign from the House but gave no date for his departure. ‘I am deeply sorry to my family, staff and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility for the mistakes I did make,’ he said.
He added that he was aware of efforts to force an immediate expulsion vote, warning it would be wrong to remove a lawmaker without due process ‘within days of an allegation being made.’
Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna vowed on Tuesday to press ahead with her resolution calling for his expulsion. ‘His statement about his “plan to resign his seat” is not binding and is wormy,’ she said.
Luna had warned on X on Monday that she was ‘being told there will be more disgusting stuff coming out on Swalwell in the next 24 hours,’ adding: ‘For the members of Congress who are concerned about optics on expelling Swalwell, I think after the information drops you will be thinking otherwise. Eric, why don’t you tell us a little about who was filming the video of the female sex worker.’
A video of Swalwell and a woman in bed — with at least two other individuals apparently present — circulated on X on Monday. Swalwell is married to Brittany Watts; the couple have three young children and have been married nine years.
Swalwell is not the only congressman heading for the exit.
Republican Tony Gonzales announced on Monday he would also step down, after the Daily Mail exposed a sex scandal involving his staffer, who later set herself on fire.
Gonzales, who had previously dropped his bid for reelection, wrote on X: ‘There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all,’ before announcing his departure. ‘When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office,’ he said. ‘It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas.’
He had an affair with married aide Regina Aviles, initially denying it before admitting the relationship last month. She took her own life last September. Gonzales called it a ‘mistake’ and a ‘lapse in judgment,’ adding: ‘I take full responsibility for those actions. Since then, I have reconciled with my wife, Angel. I’ve asked God to forgive me, which he has. And my faith is as strong as ever.’
Both Luna and Democratic Women’s Caucus chairwoman Teresa Leger Fernandez of New Mexico had called on Swalwell and Gonzales to resign or face an expulsion vote.
