Congressman Eric Swalwell under criminal investigation for sexual misconduct

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has opened a criminal investigation into Congressman Eric Swalwell after model and entrepreneur Lonna Drewes accused him of drugging, raping and choking her during a 2018 meeting at a West Hollywood hotel. The department confirmed the investigation is active.

Weeks before the allegations became public, Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign began damage‑control, sending a cease‑and‑desist letter to the rival Tom Steyer campaign and having campaign manager Yardena Wolf text a copy of the letter to the opposing counsel. Wolf also warned a social‑media creator who discussed the rumors and attempted to contact staffers via LinkedIn. Since the story broke, Swalwell has not made a public appearance and has relied on his attorney and political allies.

The scandal marks a sharp reversal for a lawmaker who spent years accusing former President Donald Trump of treason and insurrection, raising questions about his own conduct and the handling of the allegations by his campaign.