The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is currently deliberating potential charges against former Congressman Eric Swalwell following a detailed investigation conducted by the county sheriff’s victims’ unit. The spokesperson for the DA’s office confirmed this development to NBC News on Thursday.
Earlier this month, the sheriff’s unit completed its inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct against Swalwell, which were subsequently referred to prosecutors on September 21. This comes after Swalwell’s resignation from Congress in April, as he faced multiple accusations of sexual assault and misconduct, all of which he vehemently denies.
One of the key allegations stems from Lonna Drewes, a former model and business owner, who publicly accused Swalwell of drugging and assaulting her during a press conference in April. Following her allegations, the Los Angeles authorities initiated a criminal investigation into the claims.
In response to the ongoing scrutiny, Swalwell’s attorney asserted his innocence, claiming the allegations are unfounded. Sara Azari, Swalwell’s legal representative, emphasized that the referral to the DA’s office is merely a procedural step and does not imply any wrongdoing. “We welcome a fair, independent review, and we are confident it will vindicate him,” she added.
In a separate development, federal investigators conducted a search of Swalwell’s home in Washington, D.C., in August, seizing electronic devices linked to the investigation into these misconduct allegations. This included an iPhone and a MacBook Pro, which were confiscated during a stop at the San Francisco airport, where Swalwell was detained by FBI agents executing a search warrant.
Allegations against Swalwell first surfaced in a San Francisco Chronicle article, wherein a former aide claimed she was sexually assaulted by him on two occasions. This initial report was corroborated by other women, leading to a broader scrutiny of Swalwell’s conduct while in office.
Swalwell has firmly rejected these accusations, asserting in a video posted on social media that they are “flat false” and that he intends to fight them vigorously. He served in Congress for 13 years before resigning, and his former seat was filled in a special election by Democrat Aisha Wahab, who is now engaged in a competitive race for a full term.
Photo credit: Yalonda M. James
