Allegations Against Eric Swalwell
During a press conference, Rona Drews, one of the women accusing Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) of sexual misconduct, stated that she believes he drugged her, “raped” her, and “strangled” her until she lost consciousness.
In Beverly Hills, California, Drews spoke alongside her lawyers, elaborating on her claims against the Democratic lawmaker. She mentioned that in 2018, while working as a model and running a fashion software business, she had a social acquaintance with Swalwell, who helped her establish connections for her company.
“I reached out to Eric Swalwell three times. After we met socially, he offered introductions that could help my software venture. I had an interest in local politics too,” she explained, noting that he invited her to two public events.
“I knew he was married and his wife was expecting a child,” she shared. “He was a friend to me.”
Drews recounted the details of the alleged incident, claiming that she believed he drugged her during their third meeting.
“I think he spiked my drink. I had just one glass of wine. We were heading to a political gathering when he said he needed to grab some papers from his hotel room,” she stated.
Upon entering the hotel room, she said she felt incapacitated and unable to move. She accused Swalwell of raping and strangling her until she lost consciousness and feared for her life.
“He assaulted me. During the strangulation, I thought I was dead,” she recalled.
“I never consented to any sexual activity. Although I didn’t go through a rape kit, I shared what happened with those close to me and documented it in a handwritten calendar. Additionally, I discussed the assault during my therapy sessions at a sexual assault center,” she added.
According to reports from sources, Drews is the fifth woman to publicly accuse Swalwell of similar misconduct. Many of the allegations suggest a recurring theme where the accusers end up in Swalwell’s hotel room, often without a clear memory of how that occurred.
On Monday, Swalwell announced his intention to resign from Congress, expressing regret for “misjudgments I made in the past.”
“While I plan to challenge these serious and unfounded accusations against me, I must take accountability for my past mistakes. It would be unfair to my constituents to continue serving while addressing these claims,” Swalwell concluded.
