Eric Swalwell is leaving Congress after allegations of harassment
14 april 2026 в 22:13
Eric Swalwell, a Democrat from California, has faced allegations of sexual harassment and assault from several women. As a result, Swalwell announced his intention to resign from Congress and apologized to his family, which only fueled the discussion surrounding this scandal.
«I deeply regret my lapses in judgment that I made in the past, to my family, staff, and constituents», - Swalwell wrote in a public statement, adding, «I will fight the serious false allegations made against me. However, I must take responsibility for the mistakes I have truly made».
Pointing out that he is «aware of attempts to initiate a vote for my immediate expulsion and that of other members», - Swalwell noted, «Expelling anyone from Congress without due process, just days after allegations are made, is wrong. But it is also wrong for my constituents to distract me from fulfilling my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign from Congress».
After several women, including a former staffer of Swalwell, came forward with allegations, he denied them.
«These allegations are false and surfaced just before the election against the frontrunner for governor», - Swalwell stated in an interview with CNN. «For nearly 20 years, I have served the public—as a prosecutor and congressman—and have always defended women. I will defend myself with facts and, where necessary, take legal action. In the coming days, I will focus on my wife and children and defend our long-standing service against these lies».
In this article, we will examine the allegations against Swalwell, his resignation from Congress, and the entire scandal.
Swalwell stated in a public statement that he decided to resign from Congress because «it is wrong for my constituents to distract me from fulfilling my duties».
Swalwell suspended his campaign for governor of California on April 12, 2026. The next day, the House Ethics Committee announced its plans to investigate the allegations against him. However, this investigation will now conclude, as the committee only has jurisdiction over current members.
Several women have come forward with allegations of sexual harassment against Swalwell, including a former staffer who accused him of rape. An unnamed former staffer claimed that Swalwell sexually assaulted her twice when she was too drunk to give consent.
Two other women stated that Swalwell sent them unsolicited images of his genitals, while a fourth woman claimed that he kissed her in public without her consent.
A fifth woman named Lonna Drewes stated at a press conference on April 14 that Swalwell raped and choked her in 2018.
«And while he was choking me, I lost consciousness», - Drewes claimed, adding, «I thought I was going to die». Drewes also noted that she had been in contact with Swalwell before the alleged sexual assault.
«He offered me connections to promote my software development company», - she said. However, during their third meeting, Drewes alleged that Swalwell «slipped a drug into my drink», - lured her to his hotel room, and then raped her. «I would never have consented to a sexual encounter with Eric Swalwell», - she added.
Yes, Swalwell has been married to his wife, Brittany Watts, since 2016. He was previously married to his ex-wife, Melissa Miranda, from 2007 to 2010.
Yes, Swalwell has three children with Watts.
Stephen Cloutier is a billionaire and CEO of Diamond Resorts. He previously ran a campaign for governor of California ahead of the 2026 election but suspended it about six months before the primary elections.
Cloutier invested over $ 1 million in Swalwell’s campaign and provided him with housing in his mansion in Beverly Hills. However, this changed after the allegations of sexual harassment emerged. In a statement to the New York Post, Cloutier said he «no longer supports Eric»
«I deeply regret my lapses in judgment that I made in the past, to my family, staff, and constituents», - Swalwell wrote in a public statement, adding, «I will fight the serious false allegations made against me. However, I must take responsibility for the mistakes I have truly made».
Pointing out that he is «aware of attempts to initiate a vote for my immediate expulsion and that of other members», - Swalwell noted, «Expelling anyone from Congress without due process, just days after allegations are made, is wrong. But it is also wrong for my constituents to distract me from fulfilling my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign from Congress».
After several women, including a former staffer of Swalwell, came forward with allegations, he denied them.
«These allegations are false and surfaced just before the election against the frontrunner for governor», - Swalwell stated in an interview with CNN. «For nearly 20 years, I have served the public—as a prosecutor and congressman—and have always defended women. I will defend myself with facts and, where necessary, take legal action. In the coming days, I will focus on my wife and children and defend our long-standing service against these lies».
In this article, we will examine the allegations against Swalwell, his resignation from Congress, and the entire scandal.
Swalwell stated in a public statement that he decided to resign from Congress because «it is wrong for my constituents to distract me from fulfilling my duties».
Swalwell suspended his campaign for governor of California on April 12, 2026. The next day, the House Ethics Committee announced its plans to investigate the allegations against him. However, this investigation will now conclude, as the committee only has jurisdiction over current members.
Several women have come forward with allegations of sexual harassment against Swalwell, including a former staffer who accused him of rape. An unnamed former staffer claimed that Swalwell sexually assaulted her twice when she was too drunk to give consent.
Two other women stated that Swalwell sent them unsolicited images of his genitals, while a fourth woman claimed that he kissed her in public without her consent.
A fifth woman named Lonna Drewes stated at a press conference on April 14 that Swalwell raped and choked her in 2018.
«And while he was choking me, I lost consciousness», - Drewes claimed, adding, «I thought I was going to die». Drewes also noted that she had been in contact with Swalwell before the alleged sexual assault.
«He offered me connections to promote my software development company», - she said. However, during their third meeting, Drewes alleged that Swalwell «slipped a drug into my drink», - lured her to his hotel room, and then raped her. «I would never have consented to a sexual encounter with Eric Swalwell», - she added.
Yes, Swalwell has been married to his wife, Brittany Watts, since 2016. He was previously married to his ex-wife, Melissa Miranda, from 2007 to 2010.
Yes, Swalwell has three children with Watts.
Stephen Cloutier is a billionaire and CEO of Diamond Resorts. He previously ran a campaign for governor of California ahead of the 2026 election but suspended it about six months before the primary elections.
Cloutier invested over $ 1 million in Swalwell’s campaign and provided him with housing in his mansion in Beverly Hills. However, this changed after the allegations of sexual harassment emerged. In a statement to the New York Post, Cloutier said he «no longer supports Eric»
© Kolganov Andrey
