New allegations of sexual assault against former Congressman Eric Swalwell are under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, as announced in a statement on Tuesday.
According to officials, the investigation revolves around a report from Lona Drews, 50, who accuses Swalwell of assaulting her in July 2018 at a store located on the 900 block of Hammond Street in West Hollywood.
Investigators noted that the case is still in its preliminary phase, with evidence collection, interviews, and further inquiries ongoing.
Once the investigation wraps up, it will be forwarded to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for evaluation and potential action.
The Sheriff’s Department confirmed that the Special Victims Unit is managing this case, focusing on felony sexual assault incidents involving adult victims as well as cases of abuse against children.
While the statement provided no conclusions or findings, it affirmed that a formal investigation is actively progressing.
Drews asserts that her initial meeting with Swalwell was based on what she believed was a professional connection tied to the fashion software industry.
She alleges that during their encounter in West Hollywood, she consumed a spiked drink, became incapacitated, and was subsequently assaulted, including being strangled and raped.
Drews described the aftermath as profoundly traumatic, stating that she was “crying the whole time.”
This testimony adds to a mounting list of recent accusations against Swalwell, which includes multiple claims of sexual misconduct over the years. As of now, Swalwell has not publicly addressed these latest accusations made in the sheriff’s statement.
