An 82-year-old American senator, L. Louise Lucas, has been indicted alongside six others over an alleged illegal marijuana business and money laundering scheme, with federal prosecutors accusing her of using her political influence to shield the operations.
Lucas, a Democrat who serves as president pro tempore of Virginia’s Senate, faces charges including racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to possess and distribute marijuana, and conspiracy to launder money.
According to the indictment, Lucas allegedly operated several businesses that bought and sold illegal quantities of marijuana to build her family’s wealth. Members of her family, including her daughter, Lisa Lucas-Burke, who is seeking election to the Portsmouth City Council, were also named in the case.
FBI Director Kash Patel alleged that Lucas used her political position to protect the businesses from criminal scrutiny and influence legislation for financial gain.
Announcing the charges, Patel accused the senator of working with “a close-knit group of family members and associates” to establish what he described as a “criminal marijuana enterprise”.
Lucas, who has advocated for the legalisation of marijuana in Virginia, surrendered to law enforcement, according to a US Justice Department spokesperson.
Reacting to the indictment on Thursday, she accused the federal government of targeting an elderly public official and vowed to challenge the charges.
“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 said she grew up under racial segregation laws known as Jim Crow, added, “I spent my life fighting back, and I’m not stopping now.”
Prosecutors also alleged that Lucas paid $750,000 to acquire full ownership of a shell holding company purportedly established to help an associate obtain a Virginia licence to sell marijuana.
The Justice Department claimed that Lucas subsequently received a bribe from the associate and failed to disclose her interest in the company in mandatory economic interest filings.
The indictment further alleged that she discussed obtaining a recreational marijuana licence with an unidentified associate and sharing the proceeds from the business.
Earlier this year, FBI agents searched two of Lucas’s marijuana shops as part of an investigation that began under former President Joe Biden. The indictment said agents recovered marijuana and firearms from both locations.
Virginia recently passed a law permitting regulated retail marijuana sales from July 1, 2027.
The indictment comes weeks before Election Day, although Lucas is not seeking re-election this year.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger said Lucas and her family should be allowed to defend themselves against the allegations. She also questioned the timing of the indictment, warning that it could further undermine public confidence in the Justice Department.
The charges remain allegations, and Lucas is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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