So far, at least five women have accused former Representative Eric Swalwell of sexual misconduct and assault, including rape claims. He denies all allegations. Investigations, corroborating evidence, and political fallout have practically ended his career.



So far, at least five women have accused the now-former Representative Eric Swalwell of sexual misconduct and assault, including rape claims. He denies all allegations. Investigations, corroborating evidence, and political fallout have practically ended his career.&nbsp;

Eric Swalwell sordid sex abuse saga gets murkier as five women publicly accuse disgraced ex-Congressman who once led California governor race

Representative Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) officially resigned from Congress on Monday, as a fifth woman came forward on Tuesday (April 14) with serious allegations that the congressman drugged and raped her in 2018. The resignation marks a dramatic political downfall for the seven-term lawmaker, who just 48 hours earlier was considered a leading contender for Governor of California.&nbsp;At a Tuesday press conference in Beverly Hills, Lonna Drewes, a fashion software entrepreneur, described a violent encounter with Swalwell following their third meeting. “He raped me, and he choked me. And while he was choking me, I lost consciousness. I thought I had died,” Drewes said, flanked by attorney Lisa Bloom. Drewes said she delayed coming forward out of fear of Swalwell’s political influence and alleged law enforcement connections.<h2>Social media rumours spark investigation</h2>The case against the 45-year-old lawmaker first gained traction in early April 2026 through digital advocacy and social media. Influencers, most notably Cheyenne Hunt of the youth political group Gen Z for Change, began sharing anonymous accounts from women alleging a pattern of abusive behaviour.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-receives-call-from-trump-discusses-west-asia-stresses-open-and-secure-hormuz-in-40-minute-talks-1776182400804">PM Modi receives call from Trump, discusses West Asia, stresses open and secure Hormuz in 40-minute talks</a>&nbsp;This online momentum laid the groundwork for major investigative reports published on April 10 by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN, which brought the allegations into the mainstream. Those reports included claims from a former congressional staffer alleging two separate assaults, one in 2019 and another in New York in 2024, along with accounts from three other women who reported receiving unsolicited explicit content.<h2>Legal and political fallout</h2>While Swalwell has strongly denied the rape allegations, he acknowledged “mistakes in judgment” before suspending his gubernatorial campaign on Sunday. The crisis has triggered multiple legal challenges, including a Manhattan District Attorney’s probe into the 2024 incident and a newly opened investigation by the Department of Homeland Security into separate allegations of improper hiring practices.&nbsp;Although his resignation ends the jurisdiction of the House Ethics Committee, bipartisan calls for a public report continue. California Governor Gavin Newsom now has 14 days to announce a special election to fill the vacancy in the state’s 14th Congressional District.

The resignation marks a dramatic political downfall for the seven-term lawmaker, who just 48 hours earlier was considered a leading contender for Governor of California.

Representative Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) officially resigned from Congress on Monday, as a fifth woman came forward on Tuesday (April 14) with serious allegations that the congressman drugged and raped her in 2018. The resignation marks a dramatic political downfall for the seven-term lawmaker, who just 48 hours earlier was considered a leading contender for Governor of California. At a Tuesday press conference in Beverly Hills, Lonna Drewes, a fashion software entrepreneur, described a violent encounter with Swalwell following their third meeting. “He raped me, and he choked me. And while he was choking me, I lost consciousness. I thought I had died,” Drewes said, flanked by attorney Lisa Bloom. Drewes said she delayed coming forward out of fear of Swalwell’s political influence and alleged law enforcement connections. Social media rumours spark investigation The case against the 45-year-old lawmaker first gained traction in early April 2026 through digital advocacy and social media. Influencers, most notably Cheyenne Hunt of the youth political group Gen Z for Change, began sharing anonymous accounts from women alleging a pattern of abusive behaviour. Also Read: PM Modi receives call from Trump, discusses West Asia, stresses open and secure Hormuz in 40-minute talks This online momentum laid the groundwork for major investigative reports published on April 10 by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN, which brought the allegations into the mainstream. Those reports included claims from a former congressional staffer alleging two separate assaults, one in 2019 and another in New York in 2024, along with accounts from three other women who reported receiving unsolicited explicit content. Legal and political fallout While Swalwell has strongly denied the rape allegations, he acknowledged “mistakes in judgment” before suspending his gubernatorial campaign on Sunday. The crisis has triggered multiple legal challenges, including a Manhattan District Attorney’s probe into the 2024 incident and a newly opened investigation by the Department of Homeland Security into separate allegations of improper hiring practices. Although his resignation ends the jurisdiction of the House Ethics Committee, bipartisan calls for a public report continue. California Governor Gavin Newsom now has 14 days to announce a special election to fill the vacancy in the state’s 14th Congressional District.

The resignation marks a dramatic political downfall for the seven-term lawmaker, who just 48 hours earlier was considered a leading contender for Governor of California.

Fifth accuser comes forward after US Rep Eric Swalwell’s resignation, alleges drugging and rape

Rep. Tony Gonzales has announced he will resign from the US House on Tuesday, months after he revealed an extramarital affair with an aide who later died by suicide. “There is a season for everything, and God has a plan for us all,” Gonzales said in a statement Monday evening. “When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office. It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas.” His statement came about an hour after Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-California, announced his own resignation from the House after numerous former staffers accused the Democrat of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault. Both resignations come in the wake of reports that the members of Congress have planned expulsion resolutions against both lawmakers this week. Gonzales was first elected in 2020 and admitted to the affair in March.&nbsp;San Antonio Express-News was the first to reveal that Gonzales had an affair with an aide, and even asked the woman for nude photos, according to text messages. He finished second in the Republican primary in March, after which GOP leaders and US House Speaker Mike Johnson told him not to go ahead with a reelection bid. However, resignation or expulsion were not in the picture, and only came to the fore after Swalwell's sexual misconduct allegations emerged. Members of Congress are prohibited from engaging in sexual relationships with their employees. The House Ethics Committee launched an official probe to determine whether Gonzales “engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his office” and “discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favours or privileges.”Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eric-swalwell-to-resign-from-congress-amid-sexual-misconduct-allegations-1776117676224">'I am deeply sorry to my family': Eric Swalwell to resign from Congress amid sexual misconduct allegations</a><h2>Vacant seat after Gonzales's resignation</h2>Last week, a former staffer of the Gonzales campaign accused the then-candidate of sexual misconduct. The staffer provided text messages as evidence, alleging that Gonzales had solicited her for nude photos and sexual favours. His resignation will leave Texas’s 23rd Congressional District vacant, and Governor Greg Abbott can set a special election date.&nbsp;

Republican Tony Gonzales is the next Congressman to resign over sexual favours sought from an aide who died by suicide. The House Ethics Committee launched an official probe to determine whether Gonzales “engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his office”.

Rep. Tony Gonzales has announced he will resign from the US House on Tuesday, months after he revealed an extramarital affair with an aide who later died by suicide. “There is a season for everything, and God has a plan for us all,” Gonzales said in a statement Monday evening. “When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office. It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas.” His statement came about an hour after Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-California, announced his own resignation from the House after numerous former staffers accused the Democrat of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault. Both resignations come in the wake of reports that the members of Congress have planned expulsion resolutions against both lawmakers this week. Gonzales was first elected in 2020 and admitted to the affair in March. San Antonio Express-News was the first to reveal that Gonzales had an affair with an aide, and even asked the woman for nude photos, according to text messages. He finished second in the Republican primary in March, after which GOP leaders and US House Speaker Mike Johnson told him not to go ahead with a reelection bid. However, resignation or expulsion were not in the picture, and only came to the fore after Swalwell's sexual misconduct allegations emerged. Members of Congress are prohibited from engaging in sexual relationships with their employees. The House Ethics Committee launched an official probe to determine whether Gonzales “engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his office” and “discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favours or privileges.” Also Read: 'I am deeply sorry to my family': Eric Swalwell to resign from Congress amid sexual misconduct allegations Vacant seat after Gonzales's resignation Last week, a former staffer of the Gonzales campaign accused the then-candidate of sexual misconduct. The staffer provided text messages as evidence, alleging that Gonzales had solicited her for nude photos and sexual favours. His resignation will leave Texas’s 23rd Congressional District vacant, and Governor Greg Abbott can set a special election date.

Republican Tony Gonzales is the next Congressman to resign over sexual favours sought from an aide who died by suicide. The House Ethics Committee launched an official probe to determine whether Gonzales “engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his office”.

Rep. Tony Gonzales to resign over extramarital affair with aide who died by suicide

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell said on Monday (April 13) that he plans to resign from Congress amid explosive allegations of sexual misconduct. The California Democrat’s announcement comes after growing pressure from both Democrats and Republicans for him to step down from his role in the House of Representatives. Swalwell had already suspended his California gubernatorial campaign, but calls for his resignation from Congress continued.&nbsp;“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff and constituents for mistakes in judgement I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell said in a statement posted to X. “I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.” Swalwell has repeatedly denied allegations of sexual assault in the past. He did not specify exactly when he intends to step down, saying instead that he would work with his staff to ensure they can “serve the needs of the good people of the 14th congressional district.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/JbKgSORgu4">pic.twitter.com/JbKgSORgu4</a>&mdash; Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepSwalwell/status/2043802702971359521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-fake-news-have-they-no-shame-trump-hits-out-at-new-york-times-over-iran-war-coverage-1776115749732">'FAKE NEWS! Have they no shame?': Trump hits out at New York Times over Iran war coverage</a>&nbsp;He referenced ongoing efforts to remove him from office in his statement. “I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against other members and me. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.” He did not specify when his resignation would take effect.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-on-warpath-blocks-hormuz-iran-threatens-gulf-ports-1776100457432/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-on-warpath-blocks-hormuz-iran-threatens-gulf-ports-1776100457432/embed</a>&nbsp;Four women accused him last week of misconduct, including allegations ranging from sexual harassment to rape. The development comes as Congress launches an ethics inquiry into Swalwell, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2012, representing a district near San Francisco. The development comes one day after Swalwell suspended his bid for California governor and on the same day the House Ethics Committee announced it was launching a probe into the allegations against him.<h2>Tony Gonzales also to resign from Congress</h2>Representative Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican, announced on Monday that he will resign from Congress following mounting bipartisan criticism from House members over allegations that he had a coercive sexual relationship with a staff member who later died by suicide.&nbsp;Gonzales, a third-term congressman representing a border district spanning from San Antonio to El Paso, had already been facing a contentious primary race when text messages surfaced showing his pursuit of a female staff member. He had announced last month that he was withdrawing from the race. “There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all,” Mr. Gonzales said in a social media post on Monday. “When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office.”

Eric Swalwell says he will resign from Congress amid sexual misconduct allegations, citing pressure from both parties and due process concerns

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell said on Monday (April 13) that he plans to resign from Congress amid explosive allegations of sexual misconduct. The California Democrat’s announcement comes after growing pressure from both Democrats and Republicans for him to step down from his role in the House of Representatives. Swalwell had already suspended his California gubernatorial campaign, but calls for his resignation from Congress continued. “I am deeply sorry to my family, staff and constituents for mistakes in judgement I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell said in a statement posted to X. “I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.” Swalwell has repeatedly denied allegations of sexual assault in the past. He did not specify exactly when he intends to step down, saying instead that he would work with his staff to ensure they can “serve the needs of the good people of the 14th congressional district.”

Eric Swalwell says he will resign from Congress amid sexual misconduct allegations, citing pressure and due process concerns

'I am deeply sorry to my family': Eric Swalwell to resign from Congress amid sexual misconduct allegations

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Eric Swalwell sordid sex abuse saga gets murkier as five women publicly accuse disgraced ex-Congressman who once led California governor race

Fifth accuser alleges drugging and rape by Rep Eric Swalwell after resignation

Rep. Tony Gonzales to resign over affair with aide who died by suicide

Eric Swalwell to resign from Congress amid sexual misconduct allegations