A woman, Lonna Drewes, who claimed to have met former Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell in social settings, held a press conference on Tuesday to accuse him of raping her in 2018. She alleged that he drugged her drink while they were preparing to attend a political function together.

Drewes is among at least six women who have come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against Swalwell, who announced his resignation from Congress on Tuesday, following the House Ethics Committee’s disclosure of an ongoing investigation into these claims. Additionally, Swalwell had previously suspended his gubernatorial campaign in California on Monday.

At the time of the alleged incident, Drewes was working as a model and resided in Beverly Hills, owning a fashion software company. She stated that she had interacted with Swalwell on “three separate occasions” after meeting him socially and believed he was a friend. She recounted that during the 2018 encounter, which occurred in California, Swalwell invited her to a public event, noting that his wife was pregnant at that time.

“I suspect he drugged my drink. I consumed only one glass of wine. He mentioned needing to retrieve paperwork from his hotel room before the event,” Drewes explained. “When I arrived at his hotel, I was already incapacitated; I couldn’t move my arms or body. He raped me and choked me. During the choking, I lost consciousness and felt as if I had died. I did not consent to any sexual encounter.”

ABC News has not independently verified Drewes’ allegations.

In response to Drewes’ press conference, Swalwell’s attorney, Sara Azari, issued a statement asserting that the congressman “categorically and unequivocally denies all allegations of sexual misconduct and assault.” She described the claims as a “calculated and transparent political attack aimed at tarnishing the reputation of a man dedicated to public service for two decades.”

“We will confront these despicable and unfounded accusations with the same determination and integrity that have characterized the congressman’s service. We are confident that the truth will emerge, and we will seek all available legal remedies against those responsible for this malicious campaign of falsehoods,” she added.

ABC News has contacted Swalwell for his comments regarding the new allegations.

Drewes expressed during her conference that the alleged assault significantly impacted her mental health. “It deeply affected me. I engaged in unhealthy self-medication and struggled with thoughts of not wanting to live. I cried for years,” she shared.

She also spoke about her fear of speaking out against a powerful figure. “My hesitation in acting against Eric stemmed from fear, not doubt,” she remarked. “I feared his political influence, his background as an attorney, and his family’s connections to law enforcement.”

Despite not undergoing a rape kit at the time, she stated that she disclosed the incident to those close to her and documented her experience in therapy. “While I didn’t have a rape kit done, I told my closest friends. I also noted these events in my handwritten calendar. The assault and its repercussions were later discussed in my therapy sessions at a sexual assault center in Connecticut,” Drewes noted.

Drewes announced her intention to file a police report. “I have never doubted what transpired. I support the other women who have come forward, and I plan to report to law enforcement soon,” she declared.

Her attorney, Lisa Bloom, confirmed they would file a police report “immediately,” providing authorities with evidence such as text messages, journal entries, photographs, and witness information.

Bloom directly addressed Swalwell, stating, “Your recent comments about not being perfect and not being a saint are just empty rhetoric. Cease this nonsense. Your assertion that this is merely a personal matter between you and your wife is absurd and disrespectful to the victims.”

Another of Drewes’ lawyers, Arick Fudali, stressed the importance of accountability. “This situation is not about political parties; it’s about holding individuals accountable. It’s not about seeking a governorship, but rather about pursuing justice. This transcends political divisions and focuses on truth and accountability,” Fudali emphasized.

Drewes’ press conference followed another woman’s interview on CBS, where Annika Albrecht alleged that Swalwell sent her suggestive messages and invited her to meet him at a hotel after a student group visit to Washington, D.C., during her college years.

Albrecht recounted that Swalwell offered to mentor her, a gesture she initially viewed as generous given her lack of political knowledge. However, she noted that while he included all the college students in a group chat, he exclusively added her on Snapchat, leading to increasingly provocative messages.