Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas surrendered to authorities on Thursday as federal agents charged her with racketeering and money laundering. The 82-year-old Democrat leader faces a 52-page indictment alleging she used her office to protect a family marijuana operation.
Prosecutors say she directed criminal activity to build “generational wealth” for her family. A wire-tapped call showed she admitted she “got too old to not be greedy”.
The Charges Unsealed
In Norfolk, Virginia, FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Todd Blanche revealed the charges at a press conference. They stated that Lucas and her close family members used her position to shield their business from criminal scrutiny.
The indictment lists her two daughters, a grandson, and three other associates as co-conspirators. Federal agents also searched her office and a business called The Cannabis Outlet in May.
According to the Federalist, the charges expose a public servant who prioritized personal financial interests over the people she was elected to serve. He observed that prosecutors remain guided by the facts and evidence that prompted a grand jury to indict Ms. Lucas.
According to reports, the group used her role as Chairwoman of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee to influence legislation. This influence helped financially benefit their own criminal marijuana enterprise.
Legislative Power Misused
The investigation into Lucas predates the current administration. It centers on how she allegedly sold legislation to protect her enterprise from state and local authorities.
Lucas had previously boasted about her business, calling herself a grandma who legalized pot. She asserted that her store left her as the final barrier preventing the GOP from achieving total control of Virginia.
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va., noted that his communications with Lucas were monitored throughout the investigation. He argued that the Justice Department had become Trump’s “own personal law firm, with his former personal attorney carrying out vendettas on Trump’s political enemies”, according to NBC News.
The 52-page document was secured on October 14 but only unsealed this Thursday. It details how the group used various business entities to disguise the proceeds of illegal marijuana distribution.
