Ex-congressman Eric Swalwell faces second sexual assault probe

InternationalEx-congressman Eric Swalwell faces second sexual assault probeBy Reuters -Apr 15, 2026A second woman came forward to accuse Eric Swalwell of rape on Tuesday as the California Democrat and would-be governor resigned his ​seat in Congress, leaving him the subject of sexual assault investigations by law enforcement on both U.S. coasts. Former Beverly Hills model and software entrepreneur Lonna Drewes ‌is also the fifth woman to accuse Swalwell of sexual misconduct in recent days, deepening a scandal that prompted him to announce his resignation from the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday. His resignation became effective on Tuesday afternoon, two days after he bowed out of the California governor’s race, in which he had been a leading candidate, as political support and endorsements rapidly eroded. The 45-year-old politician, who is married with three children, “categorically and unequivocally denies ​each and every allegation of sexual misconduct and assault that has been leveled against him,” according to a statement issued by his attorney. The statement described the allegations as ​politically motivated fabrications. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it was investigating a sexual assault allegation against Swalwell, stemming from a July 2018 incident ⁠at a West Hollywood place of business. It did not name the alleged victim or give further details. But the statement came several hours after Drewes appeared at a news conference with ​her attorneys in Beverly Hills to accuse Swalwell of assaulting her in 2018. ‘ALREADY INCAPACITATED’ Drewes tearfully described an alleged encounter with Swalwell in which she said the lawmaker had spiked her glass of wine ​with an intoxicant that left her immobilized, then “he raped me.” She said the assault occurred after she had accompanied Swalwell to his hotel room, ostensibly so he could retrieve some paperwork on their way to a political event together, and that she was “already incapacitated” by...