L.A. County prosecutors weigh charges in Eric Swalwell case after sheriff’s investigation

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office sex crimes unit is weighing whether to bring charges in a case involving former Rep. Eric Swalwell, a spokesperson told NBC News on Thursday.

The county sheriff’s victims’ unit investigated the case, which was then forwarded to prosecutors on Sept. 21, according to the spokesperson.

Swalwell, a Democrat, resigned from Congress in April and dropped out of the California governor’s race after multiple sexual assault and misconduct allegations, which he denies.

Former model and fashion software company owner Lonna Drewes held a news conference in April with her attorneys in Los Angeles, accusing Swalwell of drugging, sexually assaulting and choking her. Los Angeles authorities confirmed at the time that they had launched a criminal investigation into the allegations.

An attorney for Swalwell said in an email Thursday that he is “innocent,” adding that “these allegations are false, and the facts will bear that out.”

“The reported referral to the Los Angeles County District Attorney is a standard procedural step. It is not a charging decision. It is not a finding of wrongdoing. It changes nothing about the facts,” said the attorney, Sara Azari. “We welcome a fair, independent review, and we are confident…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business