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By Jordan King
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Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell of California resigned from Congress and ended his gubernatorial campaign earlier this week after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and assault surfaced, all of which he has denied.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office have launched investigations into two different allegations, and the FBI has called on Swalwell to come forward with information. Newsweek has broken down everything we know so far.
The Allegations Against Eric Swalwell
Five women have come forward with allegations of various forms of sexual misconduct.
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First, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that a former staffer alleged Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2019, when she worked for him, and again in 2024 at a charity gala where she was too intoxicated to consent.
Hours later, CNN reported on three additional women who accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including unsolicited explicit messages and nudes.
On Tuesday, a fifth woman, Lonna Drewes of California, came forward with new claims, alleging that Swalwell drugged and sexually assaulted her in 2018.
Eric Swalwell Denies Allegations
Swalwell has denied the allegations against him. In a social media post announcing the suspension of his campaign for governor, he wrote: "To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made—but that's my fight, not a campaign's."
When Newsweek contacted Swalwell for comment on Tuesday, he said, "I have no comment on anything—period—and I'm going to hang up now."
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Legal Action Against Eric Swalwell
Drewes' attorneys Lisa Bloom and her law partner Eric Podolsky said they would file a police report and turn over text messages, journal entries, photographs and witness information. Bloom said Drewes would file a formal report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office, which has jurisdiction over the alleged incident in West Hollywood.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said later on Tuesday that it was investigating the case.
"The investigation remains in its preliminary stages and is ongoing," the department told Newsweek. "Investigators are in the process of gathering information, reviewing available evidence and conducting follow-up inquiries as part of a comprehensive investigative process."
The Los Angeles District Attorney is working on the case too.
Our office has assigned our Sex Crimes Division to work closely with law enforcement partners as this investigation unfolds," LA District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement shared with Newsweek. "When and if a case is presented, seasoned prosecutors will review the facts and evidence to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for charges to be filed."
On Saturday, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office announced that it had opened an investigation into Swalwell over the alleged 2024 sexual assault first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
FBI Director Kash Patel has also called on Swalwell to speak with the federal agency, writing on social media: "Eric Swalwell has maintained that none of the allegations against him are true, and now that he's resigned, we would welcome him to sit down with the FBI and share any information he has."
"We also encourage and welcome any person with relevant information to any of these matters to speak with us," Patel added. "Door is open to all."
Update, 04/16/2026, 3:111 a.m. ET: This article was updated with a statement from the LA district attorney.
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