Virginia state Sen. Louise Lucas surrenders after federal marijuana racketeering indictment
Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas, 82, a Democrat, surrendered to authorities Thursday after the Justice Department unsealed an indictment accusing her of leading a family marijuana racketeering enterprise.
Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas surrendered to authorities Thursday, NBC News reports, after the Justice Department unsealed an indictment against her. The Hill and CBS News also report she was taken into custody. Lucas is a Democrat.
NBC News says she is charged with racketeering and a money laundering conspiracy tied to a cannabis business she co-owns. The Hill says the DOJ alleges she and relatives ran a racketeering conspiracy around a family marijuana business. ABC News describes the case as a marijuana trafficking conspiracy and corruption probe.
Fox News reports seven people were indicted, including Lucas's two daughters and a grandson. The DOJ says Lucas, 82, led what it calls the Lucas Enterprise, a multi-year scheme. It alleges she used her post as chair of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee to protect the operation. Fox News also reports she has been a state senator since 1991 and president pro tempore since 2020.
Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a DOJ statement that the indictment describes a public servant who put her finances ahead of the people who elected her. He said prosecutors will follow the facts and evidence that led a grand jury to indict her and her alleged co-conspirators.
CBS News describes Lucas as a key figure in Virginia's redistricting push. CNBC calls her a critic of President Trump. The charges are allegations. Lucas has not been reported to have responded.
Reported by
- NBC NewsVirginia State Senator L. Louise Lucas charged in public corruption caseThu, Oct 22, 9:49 AM EDT
- CBS NewsFeds charge Virginia lawmaker who was key to redistricting pushThu, Oct 22, 9:54 AM EDT
- Fox NewsVirginia state senator indicted, accused of leading a marijuana distribution enterpriseThu, Oct 22, 10:14 AM EDT
- Fox NewsVirginia state senator indicted, accused of leading a marijuana distribution enterpriseThu, Oct 22, 10:14 AM EDT
- CNBCVirginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas, a Trump critic, charged in marijuana racketeering caseThu, Oct 22, 10:20 AM EDT
- NBC NewsVirginia state senator surrenders to authorities in public corruption caseThu, Oct 22, 10:31 AM EDT
- The HillVirginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas charged with public corruptionThu, Oct 22, 10:36 AM EDT
- ABC NewsVirginia state lawmaker indicted by DOJ in marijuana trafficking conspiracyThu, Oct 22, 10:44 AM EDT
- The GuardianVirginia Democrat indicted on federal drug and money laundering chargesThu, Oct 22, 11:15 AM EDT
- PBS NewsHourWATCH: Blanche and Patel announce charges for Democratic Virginia lawmaker LucasThu, Oct 22, 12:11 PM EDT
- CBS NewsFederal prosecutors charge top Virginia Democrat in alleged drug, racketeering schemeThu, Oct 22, 2:41 PM EDT
- BBC NewsProminent Virginia lawmaker charged over allegations she ran criminal marijuana schemeThu, Oct 22, 4:39 PM EDT
- PBS NewsHourNews Wrap: Virginia state senator charged with running criminal marijuana enterpriseThu, Oct 22, 6:50 PM EDT
- CBS NewsVirginia Democratic lawmaker accused of running illegal marijuana enterpriseThu, Oct 22, 7:41 PM EDT
This story was written by AI using only the reports listed above, and published without a person reviewing it first. It is rewritten as new reports arrive. Read the original reporting for full detail. Spot an error? Tell us.
Earlier versions (3)
- Thu, Oct 22, 10:40 AM EDT, 4 outlets: Virginia state Sen. Louise Lucas indicted on eight counts in marijuana racketeering case
- Thu, Oct 22, 10:20 AM EDT, 3 outlets: Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas charged in marijuana racketeering case
- Thu, Oct 22, 10:00 AM EDT, 2 outlets: Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas charged in public corruption case