Prosecutors allege Louise Lucas paid $750,000 for marijuana-license shell company

Indictment alleges bribes and government-property meetings with co-conspirators

Federal prosecutors allege Virginia state Sen. Louise Lucas paid $750,000 for a full controlling interest in a shell company used to gain a state license to sell marijuana, and that she took bribes and met with co-conspirators on government property to conduct dealings related to the alleged scheme. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department intends to prove Lucas violated the trust of the people of Portsmouth and Chesapeake, Virginia, and of her Senate colleagues. The 82-year-old Democrat was indicted Thursday on charges related to drug distribution, money laundering and public corruption, and surrendered to federal authorities the same day.

Lucas is accused of conspiring to distribute marijuana and launder money through a cannabis business she owns. Federal prosecutors say the shell company in which she bought the full controlling interest was used to gain a state license to sell marijuana.

FBI Director Kash Patel said Lucas used her position as chairwoman of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee to shield her criminal activity from scrutiny, and made legislative decisions to enrich herself. Patel and Blanche were in Norfolk, Va., to announce the charges.

“The Department of Justice intends to prove that Senator Lucas violated the trust of the people of Portsmouth and Chesapeake, Virginia, and of her senate colleagues,” Blanche said during a press conference. “Her first duty should have been looking out for her constituents before herself.”

Members of Lucas’ family have also been charged for being part of the scheme, according to UPI.

In a social media statement, Lucas wrote: “Today, the FBI, the Department of Justice, and the full weight of the federal government have been wielded against an 82-year-old great-grandmother,” and “I grew up under Jim Crow. I’ve seen what happens when people in power try to silence those who stand up to them. I spent my life fighting back and I’m not stopping now.”

Lucas represents Virginia’s 18th District in the state Senate and has served in the Virginia Senate since 1992. She also serves as chairwoman of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.

Lucas has been critical of President Donald Trump and his administration, but the investigation into her activities began under the Biden administration. She is not up for reelection until next year.

UPI reported that it has been rare for the Justice Department to bring charges against political figures so close to an election. Earlier this month, federal agents raided the Washington, D.C., home of Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., as part of a fraud investigation related to her legal immigration status. Unlike Lucas, Omar is up for reelection on Nov. 3.