Swalwell’s Shocking Criminal Probes Explode

Former California Congressman Eric Swalwell now faces criminal investigations in two separate jurisdictions, multiple accusers describing a strikingly similar pattern of misconduct, and a growing chorus of his own former colleagues calling for him to step aside — yet he insists every allegation is a fabrication.

Story Highlights

Los Angeles authorities have opened a criminal investigation following allegations by Lonna Drewes that Swalwell drugged and sexually assaulted her in 2018.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s office confirmed a separate investigation after an anonymous former staffer alleged two assaults in 2024, including one in New York while she was intoxicated.
Four women total have come forward describing similar patterns — hotel invitations, lewd photos on Snapchat, and suggestive messages — even though the accusers say they did not know each other until recently.
More than 50 former Swalwell staffers signed a letter urging his resignation, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for a full investigation and his exit from the California gubernatorial race.

Two Criminal Investigations and Four Accusers

Los Angeles authorities launched a criminal investigation against former California Representative Eric Swalwell following allegations from Lonna Drewes, who says she met Swalwell in 2018, developed a friendship, and was then drugged and sexually assaulted during their third encounter. [1] Separately, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office confirmed it is investigating claims from an anonymous former staffer who alleges Swalwell assaulted her twice in 2024, including once in New York while she was intoxicated. The former staffer described the moment: “In my flash that I can recall, I was pushing him off of me saying, ‘No.’ He didn’t stop.” [2]

Two additional women — Annika Albrecht and Cheyenne Hunt — have described a consistent pattern in which Swalwell initially offered professional mentorship before shifting to suggestive Snapchat exchanges, hotel invitations, and the sending of lewd photos. [4] The four accusers say they did not know one another until recently, and both Albrecht and Hunt report receiving messages from other women after going public. The Department of Justice has also reportedly opened its own inquiry into the allegations. [5] Swalwell and his attorney deny every claim, calling the allegations “false, fabricated and deeply offensive,” and pointing to the timing — roughly 25 days before an election — as evidence of political orchestration. [1]

Former Colleagues and Democratic Leaders Turn Against Swalwell

The political fallout has been swift and has come from within Swalwell’s own party. More than 50 former staffers signed a letter demanding his resignation, with a staff statement reading: “We stand with our former colleague and the other women who have come forward. We believe you should stand with them, too.” [4] Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi went further, stating: “This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability,” and suggesting the matter is best handled outside of a campaign. [4] Bipartisan expulsion efforts have also emerged in Congress.

The scale of the internal backlash is notable. When over 50 people who worked directly for a politician feel compelled to sign a public letter calling for his resignation, it signals a level of concern that goes beyond partisan politics. Whether or not the criminal investigations ultimately result in charges, the institutional trust that any elected official depends on appears severely damaged. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Special Victims Division has publicly urged additional survivors and witnesses to come forward. [3]

What the Evidence Shows — and What Remains Unresolved

The allegations carry real investigative weight. Two separate prosecutorial offices have opened formal inquiries, and the accusers describe patterns that are strikingly consistent despite claiming no prior connection to one another. [2] Drewes reportedly retained text messages and a photograph related to her claims. However, significant evidentiary gaps remain. CBS News explicitly stated it could not independently verify the former staffer’s claims. The key Manhattan allegation rests on an anonymous source, and no forensic evidence, hotel records, or toxicology results have been made public. [4]

You're an ass-Pulte made similar referrals against three political enemies of President Trump: NY AG Letitia James, Sen Adam Schiff and former Rep Eric Swalwell. Pulte has not made criminal referrals against any Republican and refused action against TX AG Ken Paxton a Trump ally

— BS (@AJBARDZ) May 7, 2026

Swalwell’s defense team has not produced contradicting message logs, hotel records, or any document-based rebuttal to the specific claims — only categorical denials and questions about timing and prior friendly contacts between Swalwell and some accusers. [1] The investigations in Los Angeles and New York are still in early stages, meaning no charges have been filed and no court has evaluated the evidence. What is clear is that the pattern of allegations, the breadth of the accuser network, and the institutional response from former staffers and Democratic leadership represent an extraordinary collapse of political standing — regardless of how the criminal proceedings ultimately unfold. The public, on both sides of the aisle, deserves to see these investigations conducted with full transparency and without political interference.