An 82-year-old Democratic senator in the United States, L. Louise Lucas, has been indicted alongside six others over an alleged racketeering conspiracy involving the illegal sale of marijuana and money laundering.
Lucas, who serves as president pro tempore of Virginia’s Senate, is accused of using businesses to sell illegal quantities of marijuana and build her family’s wealth, according to the indictment.
Prosecutors also allege that she used her political influence to shield the operation from criminal scrutiny and influence legislation for financial gain.
In a statement, FBI Director Kash Patel accused Lucas of working with family members and associates to establish what he described as a “criminal marijuana enterprise”.
Patel further alleged that she used her position as chairwoman of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee to protect the operation and influence legislation for personal and financial benefit.
Lucas faces charges including racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to possess and distribute marijuana, and conspiracy to launder money. A spokesperson for the US Department of Justice confirmed that she had surrendered to law enforcement.
Senator rejects allegations
Reacting to the indictment on Thursday, Lucas criticised the federal government’s action against her.
“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,” she said.
Lucas, who has long advocated the legalisation of marijuana in Virginia, compared the situation to past efforts to silence people challenging those in power.
“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,” she added.
Virginia recently passed a law allowing regulated retail marijuana sales from July 1, 2027.
However, prosecutors allege that Lucas and her co-conspirators spent years selling and maintaining illegal quantities of the drug through various businesses and shops.
Daughter also charged
Lucas’s daughter, Lisa Lucas-Burke, is among those charged in the case and is running for City Council in Portsmouth, Virginia.
The indictment comes weeks before Election Day, although Lucas is not seeking re-election this year.
Virginia Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger said she had reviewed the charging document and maintained that Lucas and her family should be given the opportunity to defend themselves against the allegations.
“They deserve the opportunity to present their defense and speak to the allegations presented,” Spanberger said.
However, Spanberger questioned the timing of the indictment, arguing that it could undermine public confidence in the Justice Department.
She said the timing appeared inconsistent with the department’s longstanding policy of avoiding major legal actions close to an election.
Prosecutors allege bribery, undisclosed financial interest
The indictment also accuses Lucas of paying $750,000 for a 100 per cent stake in a shell holding company that prosecutors allege was established to help a co-conspirator obtain a state licence to sell marijuana.
Prosecutors further allege that Lucas later received what the Justice Department described as a bribery payment from the co-conspirator in connection with her efforts.
The department also accused her of failing to disclose her financial interest in the company on the required Statement of Economic Interests forms for legislators.
According to the Justice Department, Lucas allegedly met with the co-conspirator at her office in the Capitol complex to receive a partial repayment.
Investigators also alleged that she discussed the co-conspirator’s eligibility for a recreational marijuana licence with other officials, including legislators.
The indictment further cited an alleged phone conversation in February in which Lucas discussed obtaining a recreational marijuana licence and sharing the proceeds.
“This is our last chance at generational wealth,” investigators quoted her as telling the co-conspirator.
“I’ve got too old to not be greedy.”
Earlier this year, FBI agents executed search warrants at two of Lucas’s marijuana shops as part of an investigation that began under former US President Joe Biden. Investigators reportedly recovered marijuana and firearms from both locations.
Lucas was first elected to the Virginia State Senate in 1991.
The allegations remain subject to court proceedings, and the indictment does not by itself establish guilt.
