L.A. Prosecutors Review Swalwell Allegations Following Investigation

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is currently deliberating whether to file charges against Eric Swalwell, a former U.S. Congressman. This follows a thorough investigation by the county sheriff's victims’ unit, which concluded and passed the case to prosecutors on September 21.

Context of the Case

Swalwell, who is affiliated with the Democratic Party, resigned from his position in Congress this past April. His decision came shortly after he faced multiple allegations relating to sexual assault and misconduct, all of which he asserts are untrue.

In April, Lonna Drewes, a former model and CEO of a fashion software company, held a press conference where she accused Swalwell of serious offenses including drugging and choking her during a sexual assault. At that time, the Los Angeles authorities confirmed that a criminal investigation into her allegations was underway.

Swalwell's Response

Swalwell’s attorney, Sara Azari, stated via email that the former congressman is innocent, asserting that “these allegations are false, and the facts will bear that out.”

Azari also explained that the referral to the District Attorney’s office is a common procedure, emphasizing that it does not imply any wrongdoing by Swalwell. “This process does not change the facts,” she added, expressing confidence in a fair assessment of the situation that would clear Swalwell’s name.

Recent Developments

The FBI has also been involved in the investigation. In August, agents searched Swalwell’s home in Washington, D.C., seizing an electronic device linked to the case. Just weeks later, he encountered FBI agents at the San Francisco airport, who took additional devices, including an iPhone and a MacBook Pro, under a search warrant.

This investigation gained further attention after a report from the San Francisco Chronicle indicated allegations made by a former staff member who claimed that Swalwell had assaulted her multiple times. A source confirmed the accuracy of this report to NBC News, which subsequently led to additional allegations reported by CNN from four other women, including one who echoed the Chronicle's claims.

Among these women, Ally Sammarco accused Swalwell of sending her unsolicited explicit photographs. Sammarco later verified her account in an interview with NBC News, adding credibility to the allegations against Swalwell.

Swalwell’s Political Future

In light of these allegations, Swalwell stepped back from his ambitions to become the governor of California. After his resignation from Congress, a special election was held in June, with Aisha Wahab winning the race to succeed him for the remainder of his term. A decisive election for a full two-year term is set for November, where Wahab will compete against fellow Democrat Melissa Hernandez.

Amid this unfolding situation, Swalwell has publicly denied the allegations, expressing his intention to fight them vigorously. On social media, he stated that the accusations of sexual assault against him are entirely false and emphasized his determination to address the claims head-on.