The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is currently evaluating the possibility of pursuing charges against former Congressman Eric Swalwell, according to a recent report from NBC News. The investigation follows allegations of sexual misconduct that have surfaced in recent months.
The allegations prompted a thorough inquiry by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s victims’ unit, which culminated in a case referral to the District Attorney’s office on September 21.
Swalwell, a Democrat who resigned from Congress earlier this year and withdrew from the California governor’s race amid claims of sexual harassment and assault, has firmly denied all allegations against him. In response to inquiries, Swalwell’s attorney, Sara Azari, stated, “He is innocent. These allegations are false, and the facts will bear that out.” Azari added that the referral to the District Attorney is a routine step in the legal process and does not indicate any wrongdoing.
The allegations against Swalwell escalated in April when Lonna Drewes, a former model and business owner, publicly accused him of drugging, sexually assaulting, and choking her during a press conference. This incident prompted authorities to initiate a criminal investigation into the claims.
Further complicating matters, the FBI conducted searches at Swalwell’s residences, including his home in Washington, D.C., where they confiscated electronic devices related to the investigation. According to an individual familiar with the case, one such search occurred at the San Francisco airport in August, resulting in the seizure of an iPhone and a MacBook Pro.
The public discourse around Swalwell intensified after allegations emerged from a San Francisco Chronicle article that cited a former aide’s claims of sexual assault. Subsequent reports, including one from CNN, revealed multiple women’s allegations against him, including one woman, Ally Sammarco, who claimed to have received unsolicited intimate images from Swalwell. Sammarco’s assertions were later corroborated in interviews following the CNN report.
In an effort to defend his reputation, Swalwell released a video statement on April 10, vehemently denying the allegations, asserting, “These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything I have.”
Swalwell’s career in Congress spanned 13 years. Following his resignation, a special election took place to fill his vacated seat, ultimately resulting in a victory for Democrat Aisha Wahab. Wahab is now set for a rematch with fellow Democrat Melissa Hernandez in the upcoming November election, which will be for a full two-year term.
