A fifth woman came forward Tuesday with explosive allegations against former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), claiming he drugged, raped, and choked her in a West Hollywood hotel room in July 2018.

Lonna Drewes, a model and entrepreneur at the time, held a news conference in Beverly Hills alongside attorney Lisa Bloom to detail the encounter. She said she met Swalwell socially on a few occasions, during which he offered to help with her fashion software company and political ambitions. On the third meeting, Drewes alleged Swalwell spiked her wine, rendering her incapacitated, before luring her to his hotel room under the pretense of retrieving paperwork for a political event.

"He raped me, and he choked me, and while he was choking me, I lost consciousness, and I thought I died," Drewes said, adding that she had a boyfriend at the time and would never have consented. She did not report the incident to police immediately but disclosed it to close contacts, documented it in therapy at a Connecticut sexual assault center, and a personal calendar. Drewes attributed her delay to fear of Swalwell's political power and family law enforcement ties.

Drewes' attorney filed a report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's West Hollywood station. The Special Victims Bureau confirmed the investigation is in its preliminary stages, with the case to be forwarded to the district attorney's office upon completion. The alleged incident occurred at a business in the 900 block of Hammond Street, matching a hotel where Swalwell's campaign expensed items on July 18, 2018.

Swalwell, who resigned from Congress Tuesday afternoon and recently suspended his California gubernatorial campaign, issued a fierce denial through attorney Sara Azari. "These accusations are false, fabricated and deeply offensive, a calculated and transparent political hit job," Azari said. Swalwell "categorically and unequivocally denies every allegation of sexual misconduct and assault," vowing to pursue legal remedies. He previously apologized to his family for "mistakes in judgment" but insisted assault claims are "flat false."

The claims follow reports earlier this week. On April 10, CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle detailed accusations from four women, including a former staffer who alleged nonconsensual sex while intoxicated and another rape claim. Others described unsolicited explicit photos and messages. Swalwell ended his governor bid Sunday amid Democratic backlash and vacated his Bay Area House seat Tuesday.

Drewes expressed solidarity with prior accusers, stating her motivation was to protect other women. Swalwell's team has sent cease-and-desist letters to some and questioned the coordinated timing of the allegations. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Sex Crimes Division stands ready to review any case presented by investigators.

As the probe continues, the scandal has thrust Swalwell's past under intense scrutiny, raising questions about accountability in Congress.