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DemocratSinceBirth

(101,919 posts)
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 02:06 PM Tuesday

*New accuser claims Rep. Eric Swalwell drugged, raped and choked her*




A Los Angeles woman came forward Tuesday with new sexual assault accusations against Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-California), deepening the onetime rising political star’s legal woes.

As Swalwell prepared to resign from Congress in disgrace, accuser Lonna Drewes said Swalwell attacked her following a Hollywood meeting in 2018. She also believes he spiked her drink.

“He raped me and he choked me. While he was choking me I lost consciousness. I thought i died,” Drewes said.

“I did not consent to any sexual activity,” she added.

...

https://www.nydailynews.com/2026/04/14/eric-swalwell-rape-accuser-lonna-drewes/



How did he run for governor with these skeletons in his closet? He has some real criminal exposure.




46 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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*New accuser claims Rep. Eric Swalwell drugged, raped and choked her* (Original Post) DemocratSinceBirth Tuesday OP
Why do men work so hard to get elected and then throw it all away Walleye Tuesday #1
There's a difference between a playa and a predator. DemocratSinceBirth Tuesday #2
I get that distinction.But a congressman shouldn't put himself in a position to be blackmailed Walleye Tuesday #14
He shouldn't rape and choke women pattyloutwo Tuesday #32
Taking right out of the Trump Epstein playbook aeromanKC Tuesday #3
Uggg.......... Bill Cosby kind of stuff!! Ars Longa Tuesday #31
"How did he run for governor with these skeletons in his closet?" Because people weren't able to put the whole story WhiskeyGrinder Tuesday #4
No one knew? WSHazel Tuesday #5
Why would you think people didn't know? WhiskeyGrinder Tuesday #7
Because they all shut up about it WSHazel Tuesday #9
Yes, the timing is indeed fortuitous. WhiskeyGrinder Tuesday #10
Of course people knew. Of course they did n/t leftstreet Tuesday #8
I am gobsmacked. Maybe I shouldn't be, since this stuff keeps coming to the surface Ocelot II Tuesday #6
That took a lot of gall didn't it? MustLoveBeagles Tuesday #11
I watched him on Lawrence O a few times and thought him to be a fighter for the victims n democracy Deuxcents Tuesday #12
Yes MustLoveBeagles Tuesday #13
This whole time the stories are getting into the public, the families involved certainly need our respect Deuxcents Tuesday #18
This is true MustLoveBeagles Tuesday #21
I feel the same way, Ocelot II Sparkly Yesterday #42
Going into Duke Lacrosse mode on this issue... JCMach1 Tuesday #15
Yes, But he has already dropped out 9f Governors race and resigned from Congress JI7 Tuesday #17
He should have demanded the House investigate him DemocratSinceBirth Tuesday #20
I think that's what Al Franken wanted MustLoveBeagles Tuesday #23
Franken definitely requested an investigation but Schumer and other Dems pressured him spooky3 Tuesday #29
The accusation was that Franken was handsy. DemocratSinceBirth Yesterday #44
I think Swalwell didn't want Congress uncovering evidence that could be used in a potential prosecution against him. LudwigPastorius Tuesday #38
100% not saying anything either way, but a political L JCMach1 Tuesday #33
Why did he resign from Congress? DemocratSinceBirth Tuesday #19
That Republican resigned at the same time JI7 Tuesday #22
Not just Governor. He tried to run for President just a year or so JI7 Tuesday #16
Upon what meat... GJGCA Tuesday #24
How did these allegations not come out for his congressional runs ? Nixie Tuesday #25
First elected in 2012. 3catwoman3 Tuesday #28
One of the women said she thought she was the only victim/survivor. When she learned there were others, spooky3 Tuesday #30
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Tuesday #34
But she is claiming she was choked. That's a lot different than Nixie Tuesday #39
RAINN and other sources warn us against takes like this. spooky3 Tuesday #41
Please. You are free to stay silent if you don't want help Nixie Yesterday #43
Your wrong take is the result of your having little understanding of what victims actually experience after they spooky3 Yesterday #45
Okay, so you are free to remain silent after you are choked. Nixie Yesterday #46
He thought he got away with it. cate94 Tuesday #26
She looks like Tara Reade....just sayin' Sogo Tuesday #27
The woman in NY has contemporaneous iemanja Tuesday #40
People Magazine reported that 30 other women have contacted the spooky3 Tuesday #35
30!!!!!! True Dough Tuesday #36
During the initial stages of these allegations True Dough Tuesday #37

Walleye

(45,055 posts)
1. Why do men work so hard to get elected and then throw it all away
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 02:10 PM
Tuesday

Maybe they want to get elected so they can get laid

DemocratSinceBirth

(101,919 posts)
2. There's a difference between a playa and a predator.
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 02:11 PM
Tuesday

Neither is laudable but the latter can land you in the hoosegow.

Walleye

(45,055 posts)
14. I get that distinction.But a congressman shouldn't put himself in a position to be blackmailed
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 04:45 PM
Tuesday

WhiskeyGrinder

(27,067 posts)
4. "How did he run for governor with these skeletons in his closet?" Because people weren't able to put the whole story
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 02:12 PM
Tuesday

together until now.

WSHazel

(781 posts)
9. Because they all shut up about it
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 02:23 PM
Tuesday

This could have been catastrophic for our side if it happened during the run off.

WhiskeyGrinder

(27,067 posts)
10. Yes, the timing is indeed fortuitous.
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 02:24 PM
Tuesday

But this has been an open secret in some political circles for some time; people definitely knew.

Ocelot II

(130,784 posts)
6. I am gobsmacked. Maybe I shouldn't be, since this stuff keeps coming to the surface
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 02:16 PM
Tuesday

about men from all over the political spectrum. But Swalwell was an articulate, forceful spokesman for liberal issues - and nevertheless he betrayed us in the most egregious way possible by pretending to be someone who spoke for abused women. Release the Epstein files, he said. “Every member of the Judiciary Committee, every Republican, every Democrat voted to release these documents and to have them in our hands,” he said. “They were supposed to be in our hands so that we could stand up for victims and to make sure that we know the names of the people who enabled Jeffrey Epstein,” he said back in December. https://www.ms.now/news/eric-swalwell-hearings-epstein-files-trump-administration-accountability "Stand up for victims"? Hello? A guy credibly accused of drugging, raping and choking a woman says what? Did he think it was OK while Epstein's actions weren't because the women he abused were adults? WTAF? Jesus on a pogo stick, what's wrong with these men?

MustLoveBeagles

(16,766 posts)
11. That took a lot of gall didn't it?
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 02:53 PM
Tuesday

He belongs in prison. Maybe he and dump could be cellmates? 🤭

Deuxcents

(27,209 posts)
12. I watched him on Lawrence O a few times and thought him to be a fighter for the victims n democracy
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 03:18 PM
Tuesday

This has become quite a scam

Deuxcents

(27,209 posts)
18. This whole time the stories are getting into the public, the families involved certainly need our respect
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 05:05 PM
Tuesday

When the dust settles, I hope the truth comes out but it’s being tried in public for now and that’s what happens when it becomes sensational

MustLoveBeagles

(16,766 posts)
21. This is true
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 07:57 PM
Tuesday

I was in wait and see mode over the weekend. The corroborating evidence and the fact that no one defended him convinced me to pick a side.

Sparkly

(24,891 posts)
42. I feel the same way, Ocelot II
Wed Apr 15, 2026, 12:02 AM
Yesterday

Shocked, and with a sense that somehow I shouldn't be. As if I should have known, and why didn't I, and how couldn't I, or how can I, or what the hell... I encountered asshole men as a young woman, but I'm too far removed to have any kind of radar for this kind of crap in DC, and why should I?

I'm just at a total loss, and completely surprised.

JCMach1

(29,224 posts)
15. Going into Duke Lacrosse mode on this issue...
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 04:50 PM
Tuesday

Let's see the complete evidence and then deal out the damnation.

JI7

(93,716 posts)
17. Yes, But he has already dropped out 9f Governors race and resigned from Congress
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 05:01 PM
Tuesday

if this was fake what would be the point now ?

And listening to it she sounds very believable.

DemocratSinceBirth

(101,919 posts)
20. He should have demanded the House investigate him
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 06:12 PM
Tuesday

They would have inculpated or exculpated him.

MustLoveBeagles

(16,766 posts)
23. I think that's what Al Franken wanted
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 08:00 PM
Tuesday

It one of the reasons I continue to think he was innocent. The fact that Swalwell didn't is telling.

spooky3

(38,711 posts)
29. Franken definitely requested an investigation but Schumer and other Dems pressured him
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 08:48 PM
Tuesday

to step down. I read one statement from Swalwell where he mentioned that due process includes an investigation, but he resigned very quickly.

The important thing is that the accusations against Swalwell involve FAR more serious alleged wrongdoing. The worst thing anyone said about Franken was that he put his arm around someone who didn't want him to do that.

DemocratSinceBirth

(101,919 posts)
44. The accusation was that Franken was handsy.
Wed Apr 15, 2026, 12:40 AM
Yesterday

I don't want to relitigate it. What Swalwell is accused of goes infinitely further.

LudwigPastorius

(14,808 posts)
38. I think Swalwell didn't want Congress uncovering evidence that could be used in a potential prosecution against him.
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 10:26 PM
Tuesday

The states of New York and California are currently conducting criminal investigations against him. I'm sure their DAs would welcome anything that the House came up with.

JCMach1

(29,224 posts)
33. 100% not saying anything either way, but a political L
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 08:58 PM
Tuesday

Is very different from prosecution vs. what actually happened.

Until those components are sorted...

DemocratSinceBirth

(101,919 posts)
19. Why did he resign from Congress?
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 06:10 PM
Tuesday

He could have compelled the House Ethics Committee to do an investigation that would have inculpated or exculpated him.

JI7

(93,716 posts)
22. That Republican resigned at the same time
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 07:57 PM
Tuesday

I think both were told there were enough votes to kick them out so they should resign or be voted out.

So both ended up resigning. He can still fight the accusations though.

JI7

(93,716 posts)
16. Not just Governor. He tried to run for President just a year or so
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 04:54 PM
Tuesday

after this. He didn't get anywhere close to winning though . But if he had I'm guessing this would have come out.

Nixie

(18,005 posts)
25. How did these allegations not come out for his congressional runs ?
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 08:21 PM
Tuesday

He’s been an elected official for at least a couple congressional cycles. Only the governor’s run started these allegations.

3catwoman3

(29,549 posts)
28. First elected in 2012.
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 08:46 PM
Tuesday

I am so disappointed in him. I thought he was one of the good guys.

spooky3

(38,711 posts)
30. One of the women said she thought she was the only victim/survivor. When she learned there were others,
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 08:50 PM
Tuesday

she spoke out.

Response to spooky3 (Reply #30)

Nixie

(18,005 posts)
39. But she is claiming she was choked. That's a lot different than
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 11:13 PM
Tuesday

going to a hotel room drunk and saying you don’t know for sure what happened due to intoxication. I can’t imagine a situation where someone was choking me and I wouldn’t go to the police. That’s more like attempted murder.

spooky3

(38,711 posts)
41. RAINN and other sources warn us against takes like this.
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 11:52 PM
Tuesday

If you were afraid you wouldn’t be believed or the police would not act if you reported rape, for example, why would you think they’d believe you or take action when you report choking? And if they did believe and act, he could say “it was consensual rough sex” or deny it altogether. If you were afraid that the rapist was powerful and could harm your career if you reported it, wouldn’t you have the same concern about choking?

Nixie

(18,005 posts)
43. Please. You are free to stay silent if you don't want help
Wed Apr 15, 2026, 12:24 AM
Yesterday

from someone trying to murder you. “Takes like these”. Maybe a few women would get murdered, but at least we’re warned about the wrong takes so don’t tell anyone.

spooky3

(38,711 posts)
45. Your wrong take is the result of your having little understanding of what victims actually experience after they
Wed Apr 15, 2026, 01:36 AM
Yesterday

Are assaulted. Read the RAINN website; read the scholarly research on what happens to survivors.

Nixie

(18,005 posts)
46. Okay, so you are free to remain silent after you are choked.
Wed Apr 15, 2026, 03:30 AM
Yesterday

I will file a police report.

cate94

(3,106 posts)
26. He thought he got away with it.
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 08:26 PM
Tuesday

And he did for a while, but I’m glad these women got the courage to speak up.

iemanja

(57,771 posts)
40. The woman in NY has contemporaneous
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 11:46 PM
Tuesday

Text messages, conversations with friends and her partner, and medical records. Despite that evidence, you insult victims. The man is under investigation for rape, with an open criminal case in Manhattan. Rapists rarely stop at one victim.

spooky3

(38,711 posts)
35. People Magazine reported that 30 other women have contacted the
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 09:28 PM
Tuesday

“Influencer” who originally broke the story:


Post by @people
View on Threads


?xmt=_ocBQw-=1

True Dough

(26,889 posts)
36. 30!!!!!!
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 10:15 PM
Tuesday

OMG! And you have to imagine there are still others who are too intimidated to come forward.

This is so bad.

True Dough

(26,889 posts)
37. During the initial stages of these allegations
Tue Apr 14, 2026, 10:18 PM
Tuesday

it can be easy to brush off the accusers because we want to believe it's a political scandal. As the numbers add up and someone like this woman summons the courage to say her piece in front of the world, there's nobody who shouldn't be willing to hear their stories and consider the full weight of their words.


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