Eric Swalwell’s alleged rape victim arrives at sheriff’s office with ‘damning’ texts and photos
An alleged victim of Eric Swalwell has arrived at the sheriff’s office to hand over evidence against the embattled congressman after accusing him of rape.
Lonna Drewes, 50, turned up at the West Hollywood station to hand over what she says are damning texts, photographs and journal entries.
Exclusive pictures taken by the California Post showed her walking arm in arm with high-powered attorney Lisa Bloom following a bombshell press conference outlining her claims against the politician.
Lonna Drewes, 50, turned up at the West Hollywood station to hand over what she says are damning texts, photographs and journal entries.David Buchan for CA Post
Lonna is pictured with Swalwell on the night they met.Jeremy Louwerse
It comes after four women last week revealed heinous claims against him, including one also alleging he raped her, which has set fire to his political career and seen him pull out of the California governor’s race and vow he will resign from Congress.
Drewes, a model, fashion executive and one time movie star, said at the press conference Tuesday: “In 2018, while I was living and working as a model in Beverly Hills, and I also owned a fashion software company, I had contact with Eric Swalwell on three separate occasions.
“After meeting, he offered me connections to further my software company, and I also had an interest in local politics.
“He invited me to two public events. I knew he was married at the time and that his wife was pregnant. He was my friend. On the third occasion, I believe he drugged my drink. I only had one glass of wine.
“We were supposed to go to a political event, and he said he needed to get paperwork from his hotel room.
“When I arrived at his hotel room, I was already incapacitated, and I couldn’t move my arms over my body. He raped me, and he choked me. And while he was choking me, I lost consciousness. I thought I died.
Exclusive pictures taken by the California Post showed her walking arm in arm with high-powered attorney Lisa Bloom following a bombshell press conference outlining her claims against the politician.David Buchan for CA Post
“I did not consent to any sexual activity, although I did not undergo a rape kit at the time, I disclosed the assault to the people closest to me.
“I also recorded these events in my handwritten calendar. The assault and its impact were later documented during my therapy sessions at a sexual assault center in Connecticut.
“It had a profound impact on my mental health. I self-medicated in an unhealthy way. I did not want to live anymore.
“I cried all the time for years. At the time, I was in a dating relationship with a boyfriend I was fully committed to.
“I’ve never cheated in my life, and I would never have engaged in a consensual sexual encounter. That reality further underscores the non-consensual nature of what occurred.
The multiple claims against Swalwell have torched his political career, with him suspending his run for governor on Sunday before saying on Monday he will resign from Congress.MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Drewes is a former model for Marc Jacobs, fashion executive and one time movie star in the horror film Gnome Alone.Instagram/lonnadrewes
“It was a politically unusual, intense time in Beverly Hills, and I was considering a run for city council, which placed me in proximity to political figures and events, and added to the pressure to remain composed and silent.
“I was not interested in him romantically, but I was interested in the business relationship and professional connections he offered to provide.
“My delay in taking action against Eric was driven by fear, not doubt, fear of his political power, his background as an attorney, and his family law enforcement ties.
“I have never doubted what happened. I stand with the other women who have come forward, and I will be making a report to Law Enforcement shortly with my attorneys.”
The multiple claims against Swalwell have torched his political career, with him suspending his run for governor on Sunday before saying on Monday he will resign from Congress.
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