Virginia state Sen. Louise Lucas, who led Democrats' redistricting push, is indicted in a federal marijuana case
Prosecutors accuse the 82 year old Portsmouth Democrat of using her office to shield a marijuana business run with relatives. She says she will not be intimidated.
Federal prosecutors charged Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas, 82, and six co defendants on Oct. 22 in an alleged bribery and racketeering scheme, CBS News reported. The 45 page indictment in the Eastern District of Virginia includes conspiracy to distribute marijuana, money laundering and bribery; Lucas faces five of its eight counts. Co defendants include her daughters, Lisa Lucas Burke and Theresa Lucas Lamb, and her grandson, Ryan Eichelberger.
Prosecutors allege that a "Lucas Enterprise" handled at least 100 kilograms of marijuana and that Lucas used her post as chair of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee to shield it and shape legislation in its favor, the Virginia Mercury reported. The Daily Caller and CBS reported that the indictment quotes her as saying she wanted a license for "generational wealth." Fox News reported that she was released on her own recognizance after a first appearance in Norfolk, with arraignment set for Nov. 16 in Newport News.
Lucas was a key figure behind a congressional map adding four Democratic leaning seats that voters approved in an April referendum; the Virginia Supreme Court threw it out in May, CBS reported. She is not up for reelection until 2027. The Virginia Mercury noted the charges came 12 days before the midterms and months after FBI agents searched her office and cannabis businesses on May 6. A source told CBS the investigation began under the Biden administration.
Attorney General Todd Blanche said the charges show "a public servant who will put her own financial interests before the people she was elected to serve," CBS reported. Lucas wrote, "I will not be intimidated. I will not be bullied. And I will not back down," according to Fox News. Her lawyer, Brian Woolfolk, called the case "the circus we always expected it to be," and Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell said, "She is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law," the Virginia Mercury reported.
What is established
- The indictment has eight counts; Lucas faces five.
- Arraignment is set for Nov. 16 in Newport News, Fox News reported.
- FBI agents searched her office and businesses in May.
- Lucas is Senate president pro tempore and is not on the ballot until 2027.
What each side says
Lucas used a position of public trust to enrich herself and her family, Blanche said.
The case is political intimidation of an 82 year old, and she will keep fighting.
How it was covered
Left 1 report
Network coverage led with her role in Democrats' redistricting push and noted the investigation began under Biden.
Center 1 report
Virginia coverage noted the timing before the midterms and gave space to Democratic calls for the presumption of innocence.
Right 2 reports
Coverage highlighted the alleged quotes about greed and generational wealth and her past criticism of Trump.