Gallego: I Knew Swalwell Was “Flirty” But Didn’t Believe Allegations. Victim’s Attorney: Sheriff Will Get Evidence

With far-left Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell’s resignation effective as of 2:00 p.m. today, equally far-left Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona appeared before the media to swear that he knew nothing about Swalwell’s predation, but that he should not have trusted the rape suspect.

Gallego also blamed “right-wing political operatives” for pushing the narrative that he was sitting on a bed with Swalwell and a woman, which is featured in a viral video.

Meanwhile, an attorney for Lonna Drewes, who accused Swalwell of drugging, strangling, and raping her, called Swalwell’s defense “blather and spin” and a “slap in the face” to the victims. Attorney Lisa Bloom said she will send evidence of Swalwell’s crimes to the authorities.

Gallego: “I Fell for It”

Speaking to reporters in his office today, the former Marine and Iraq combat veteran all but said Swalwell, who represented California’s 14th District, conned him.

“Unfortunately, this is not the first time. I did deal with the same BS in 2024 and 2023 when they ran millions and millions of dollars of smears against me, lied about me, lied about my family, and it’s the same damn people again,” he said.

Gallego blamed “right-wing political operatives” who are now doing what “they couldn’t do in 2024.”

“Swalwell lied to all of us,” he continued:

He lied to the most powerful people in this country. And they trusted him. They trusted him with some of the most sensitive spots in our government, whether it was on the judiciary committee, [intelligence] committee, impeaching Donald Trump.

And that clouded my judgment. My friendship with him, our family’s friendship together with him, clouded my judgment. And I was wrong. I deeply, deeply regret that. The women that came forward are courageous and they still deserve justice.

Asked whether he knew about allegations against Swalwell given that the two are best friends, Gallego elaborated and explained how close the two men’s families were. 

“When there was rumors going around a couple weeks ago … I did ask him and he lied to me,” Gallego said, claiming he was “manipulated.”

A reporter noted that allegations about Swalwell predated his failed presidential run, which Gallego managed.

“This man led a double life,” Gallego said:

He lied to us. He lied to his family, lied to his constituents, some of the most powerful people in this country. You know, even before he ran, he was trusted with some , you know, positions that normally we would never think someone like this could do if they’re leading that double life. And again, I was manipulated. I was lied to. And so everyone else was too.

After Gallego read the article in the San Francisco Chronicle about Swalwell’s raping a former staffer, the senator him told to drop out of the race for governor, he said. Gallego said Swalwell “denied everything.”

“Lies”

Asked about the viral video that some claim shows Gallego on a bed with Swalwell and another woman, the Arizona Democrat called the claims lies. Jack Posobiec of Human Events posted the video and claimed he “received a digital forensics report attesting” to the video’s veracity where Swalwell is concerned.

“This is an example of the lies,” he said:

No, I was not sitting next to him. I was not in the room. I don’t even know where it happened. 

Gallego blamed X commentator Chris LaCivita, also a former Marine, “and a bunch of other right-wing political operatives [for] pushing this narrative that somehow I was in that room.… And that is an absolute lie.”

Though he heard rumors for years that Swalwell was “flirty,” Gallego again said the families of the two men were very close. Thus, it was difficult believe sex-abuse allegations.

“So I heard rumors of him being flirty,” but he didn’t question them “because you know, you hear this, and then when you’re close to somebody and you know, you know his wife, you see this, you see that relationship, you know that like it maybe just isn’t true.”

Sheriff Might Come Knocking

Swalwell’s victims claim it is true, one of them being Drewes, a former model who owns a fashion software company. Today, as The New American reported, she accused Swalwell of drugging and raping her, and choking her into unconsciousness.

“I believe he drugged my drink,” she told reporters at Bloom’s office:

“I only had one glass of wine. We were supposed to go to a political event and he said he needed to get paperwork from his hotel room. When I arrived at his hotel room I was already incapacitated and I couldn’t move my arms or my body.

He raped me, and he choked me, and while he was choking me I lost consciousness, and I thought I died.

I did not consent to any sexual activity.”

Bloom roasted Swalwell and said to expect a visit from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.  

“Immediately, we will be filing a police report with the Los Angeles County sheriff’s office, which …  has jurisdiction over incidents that happen in West Hollywood, Bloom said.

Drewes’ evidence, Bloom said, include “text messages, journal entries, photographs and witness information.” The attorney also said Drewes will cooperate with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation.

Bloom then addressed Swalwell. 

“Your recent statement that you are just not perfect, you are not a saint, is just blather and spin,” Bloom fumed:

Stop it. Your statement that this is all just a matter between you and your wife is laughable, if not for the fact that it is a slap in the face to the victims. Your statement yesterday that you just made “mistakes in judgment” is defensive and minimizing. Stop It. Own your behavior.