The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has opened an early-stage investigation into former U.S. lawmaker Eric Swalwell following a woman’s allegation that he sexually assaulted her in 2018 in West Hollywood.

The accuser claims Swalwell drugged her and assaulted her in a hotel room after initially meeting her through professional networking opportunities.

Swalwell’s attorney has strongly denied the accusations, calling them false and politically motivated, and Swalwell himself has rejected the claims.

The investigation was launched after multiple women came forward with additional allegations of sexual misconduct reported in media coverage, CBS News has reported.

Swalwell has since ended his gubernatorial campaign and resigned from Congress as the inquiry continues.