DOJ launches investigation into Eric Swalwell over sexual assault allegations, reports say

LOS ANGELES -- The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into sexual assault allegations against former Rep. Eric Swalwell, according to multiple media outlets.

Several women have lodged allegations of sexual assault and misconduct against Swalwell. The former congressman has denied engaging in any sexual misconduct but acknowledged mistakes in judgment.

Swalwell dropped out of California's gubernatorial race on Sunday and announced his resignation from Congress this week after the allegations came to light.

At a press conference in Beverly Hills on Tuesday, Lonna Drewes told a harrowing story of allegedly being drugged, raped and choked by the former congressman in 2018.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said the agency has opened an investigation after Drewes' accusations.

Sheriff Robert Luna says his Special Victims detectives may soon sit down with the former congressman.

"They're going make sure that they thoroughly investigate all the allegations that are being made," Luna told ABC7 in Los Angeles. "That's going to take a while, and remember that part of the investigation will probably be to eventually interview the alleged suspect."

The Manhattan DA is also investigating Swalwell.

Swalwell's resignation removes him from the jurisdiction of the House Ethics Committee.

The ranking Democrat on the committee, California Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, distanced himself from Swalwell on Thursday.

"I was not close to him," DeSaulnier said. "We were colleagues. I was certainly collegial, but I'm absolutely shocked and horrified."

The Swalwell case is sparking even more digging into potential sexual misconduct in Congress.

The same day Swalwell resigned, Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzalez also resigned in the wake of a sex scandal.

Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida says the Senate Ethics Committee is now investigating an unnamed Senate Democrat on sex-related allegations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.