Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
Virginia Sen. L. Louise Lucas charged in federal marijuana case
Virginia Sen.
L. Louise Lucas and six others were charged in a federal case over an alleged marijuana operation and money laundering.
Prosecutors say Lucas helped lead the enterprise with relatives and associates, using her political position to shield it from scrutiny and influence legislation for financial gain.
Lucas has served in the state Senate since 1992 and chairs its powerful Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.
The charges follow an FBI search in May of her hometown office and a cannabis shop in which she has a stake.
Lucas surrendered and said she would not be intimidated, while her lawyer said they would respond after reviewing further details.
Federal officials say the investigation began before President Donald Trump took office in January 2025 and deny that politics played a role.
Lucas is expected to appear in federal court, where the case will proceed.
Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas was charged Thursday in a federal case involving alleged marijuana trafficking and money laundering.
An indictment accuses Lucas and six other defendants, including several relatives, of leading a criminal enterprise that acquired and distributed marijuana and laundered proceeds.
Federal authorities allege Lucas used her political position to shield the operation and influence legislation for financial benefit.
Lucas said she would not be intimidated or bullied, while her legal defense fund’s chief counsel said they would wait for further details.
U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the investigation began before President Donald Trump’s second administration and denied that the case was a political payback.
- Who
- Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas and six other defendants, including several of her relatives.
- What
- Lucas was charged in a federal case alleging marijuana trafficking and money laundering.
- When
- Thursday, October 22, 2026.
- Where
- The case is in federal court; Lucas is a Virginia state senator and the FBI searched her hometown office and a cannabis shop in May.
- Why
- Prosecutors allege Lucas helped lead a marijuana enterprise and used her political position to shield it and benefit financially.
Federal authorities
L. Louise Lucas
Alleged conduct
Federal authorities
Authorities allege Lucas and associates ran a marijuana enterprise, laundered proceeds and used her political position to protect it.
L. Louise Lucas
Lucas did not directly address the substance of the charges in her statement.
Political motive
Federal authorities
Blanche said the case was not a political payback and that the investigation began before Trump’s second administration.
L. Louise Lucas
Lucas characterized the May search as an attempt to intimidate her and said she would not be bullied.
Lucas partnered in opening The Cannabis Outlet, which sells hemp and CBD products.
A person familiar with the May search said the probe was opened during Joe Biden’s administration.
The FBI searched Lucas’ hometown office and a cannabis shop in which she has a stake.
Lucas was charged and surrendered; she was expected to make an initial appearance in federal court that afternoon.
- Defendants
- Lucas and six others
- Charges
- Drug trafficking and money laundering
- Senate service
- Since 1992
- Senate role
- President pro tempore and chair of the Senate finance committee
- Cannabis shop
- The Cannabis Outlet, opened in 2021
- Federal search
- Lucas’ hometown office and a cannabis shop in May
3 sources
What people are saying
I will not be intimidated. I will not be bullied. And I will not back down,
We don't do political paybacks,
This is the circus we always expected it to be, and we will wait for further details to have a more specific response,
No one is above the law,