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Even as news circulates about California Congressman Eric Swalwell’s upcoming exit from Congress, allegations of sexual misconduct continue to surface against him.
The latest accusation emerged during a CBS interview aired on Tuesday morning, where a new individual stepped forward with her story.
Swalwell faces accusations from at least four women, who allege various forms of sexual misconduct, including rape, sexual assault, and inappropriate communication through unsolicited messages and photos.
Annika Albrecht, the most recent accuser to share her experience, expressed to CBS: “For me, justice means ensuring he can never harm another woman and that he faces consequences for those he has already harmed.”
Albrecht recounted receiving an invitation to meet Swalwell in a hotel room, a situation she interpreted as having an obvious implication. Reflecting on the incident, she considers herself fortunate for deciding against attending the meeting.
Swalwell announced on Monday that he will resign his Congressional seat after being engulfed by explosive sexual assault and misconduct allegations. The Democrat, who suspended his run for California governor on Sunday, apologized to his family and staff, but insisted the claims are false.
Pressure had been mounting since Friday, when the San Francisco Chronicle published a bombshell report in which multiple women accused him of misconduct.
A former staffer told CNN over the weekend that Swalwell raped her while she was drunk – and that despite her attempts to push him away during the encounter, ‘He didn’t stop.’
Eric Swalwell has resigned from Congress after facing sexual misconduct allegations. He has denied the claims and vowed to fight them
Two Swalwell accusers and an influencer who helped get their story out spoke with CBS News in an interview that aired on April 14
Swalwell accuser Ally Sammarco in her CBS interview
He has denied the allegations and vowed to fight them – but over the weekend, his political career went into freefall.
In a statement Monday afternoon, Swalwell confirmed he would step down from the House of Representatives but gave no date for his departure.
‘I am deeply sorry to my family, staff and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility for the mistakes I did make,’ he said.
He added that he was aware of efforts to force an immediate expulsion vote, warning that removing a lawmaker without due process ‘within days of an allegation being made’ would be wrong.
Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna vowed on Tuesday to press ahead with her resolution calling for his expulsion. ‘His statement about his “plan to resign his seat” is not binding and is wormy,’ she said.
Luna had warned on X on Monday afternoon that she was ‘being told there will be more disgusting stuff coming out on Swalwell in the next 24 hours.’
She added: ‘For the members of Congress who are concerned about optics on expelling Swalwell, I think after the information drops you will be thinking otherwise. Eric, why don’t you tell us a little about who was filming the video of the female sex worker.’
A video of Swalwell and a woman in bed – with at least two other individuals apparently present – circulated on X on Monday. Swalwell is married to Brittany Watts, his wife of nine years, and the couple have three young children.
Swalwell is not the only member of Congress set to leave his post, as Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales announced his intention to step down from office on Monday after the Daily Mail exposed a sex scandal involving his staffer, who eventually set herself on fire.
Gonzales, a Republican who previously dropped his bid for reelection, wrote on X: ‘There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all’ before revealing his departure.
‘When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office,’ he said. ‘It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas.’
Gonzales had an affair with married aide Regina Aviles and initially denied it until fessing up to their relationship last month. She took her own life in September last year.
He called his relationship a ‘mistake’ and a ‘lapse in judgment.’ Last month, he added: ‘I take full responsibility for those actions. Since then, I have reconciled with my wife, Angel. I’ve asked God to forgive me, which he has. And my faith is as strong as ever.’
Luna and Democratic Women’s Caucus chairman Teresa Leger Fernandez of New Mexico had both called for Swalwell and Gonzales to resign or face an expulsion vote.