Swalwell Faces Mounting Allegations, Campaign Payments Raise Legal Concerns

Former congressman accused of sexual assault, misuse of campaign funds

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:10pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty hotel room with a lone chair and desk, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the allegations against the former congressman.The allegations against Swalwell cast a somber, introspective mood over the political landscape.West Hollywood Today

Disbursements from Eric Swalwell's campaign accounts appear to corroborate allegations that the former congressman sexually assaulted a woman in 2018, raising the prospect that he may have used political contributions to facilitate his alleged misconduct. Swalwell is also facing a separate criminal probe and multiple other accusations of sexual impropriety from former staffers.

Why it matters

The allegations against Swalwell, if proven true, could result in serious legal consequences and further erode public trust in elected officials. The potential misuse of campaign funds is also a significant concern, as it could constitute a violation of federal election laws.

The details

Beverly Hills model Lonna Drewes filed a criminal complaint alleging that in 2018, Swalwell drugged her drink and took her to a West Hollywood hotel room, where she says he raped and choked her while she was incapacitated. Swalwell's campaign records show he spent $361 in 'travel expenses' at the Montrose West Hollywood, located on Hammond Street, on July 18, 2018 - the same date and location described in Drewes's allegation. An attorney with the National Legal and Policy Center says these payments could expose Swalwell to further legal issues, as they may indicate he violated federal campaign finance laws by using political contributions for personal purposes.

  • Drewes alleges the incident occurred in July 2018 in West Hollywood.
  • Swalwell's campaign records show a $361 'travel expense' payment at the Montrose West Hollywood on July 18, 2018.

The players

Lonna Drewes

A Beverly Hills model who filed a criminal complaint alleging Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2018.

Eric Swalwell

The former Democratic congressman from California who is facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and potential campaign finance violations.

Paul Kamenar

An attorney with the National Legal and Policy Center, an ethics watchdog group.

Cheryl Younger

A former Swalwell donor who says she feels 'defrauded' and wants a refund from his campaign.

Sara Azari

Swalwell's attorney, who has defended the former congressman against the allegations.

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What they’re saying

“ActBlue, I want my money back. I'm not interested in electing someone who won't keep his hands in his pockets and his pants zipped when he is representing us and we are paying the tab.”

— Cheryl Younger, Former Swalwell donor

“The issue that we're talking about here is whether it was unconsensual sex that is criminal sex. And, you know, adults consenting, which is our position, is not against the law.”

— Sara Azari, Swalwell's attorney

What’s next

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office is continuing its criminal investigation into the allegations against Swalwell. Authorities at the Department of Homeland Security are also looking into complaints that Swalwell used campaign funds to hire a Brazilian national without legal work authorization as a nanny.

The takeaway

The mounting allegations against Swalwell, combined with the apparent misuse of campaign funds, have severely damaged the former congressman's political career and reputation. These developments underscore the importance of holding elected officials accountable for both their professional conduct and their use of public resources.