The Brief Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas charged Thursday in connection with alleged leadership role in a criminal enterprise. An indictment unsealed Thursday charged Lucas and six co-defendants, including several of her relatives. A Justice Department spokesperson said Lucas self-surrendered to authorities.



Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas, one of the state's most influential Democrats, was charged Thursday in connection with an alleged role leading a criminal enterprise that acquired and distributed large quantities of marijuana and laundered the proceeds, according to federal authorities.

Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, speaks in the senate during a reconvened legislative session to vote on the budget, Monday, June 22, 2026, in Richmond, Va. (Mike Kropf/Richmond Times-Dispatch via Getty Images)

What we know:

An indictment unsealed Thursday charged Lucas and six co-defendants, including several of her relatives, the Department of Justice said in a statement. A Justice Department spokesperson said Lucas self-surrendered on Thursday.

The charges, which include drug trafficking and money laundering, follow a May search by the FBI of Lucas' hometown office and a cannabis shop in which she holds an ownership stake. At the time of the search, Lucas, a critic of Republican President Donald Trump's administration, characterized the operation as an attempt to intimidate her.

 This is the circus we always expected it to be, and we will wait for further details to have a more specific response,  Brian Woolfolk, chief counsel for the L. Louise Lucas Legal Defense Fund, told The Associated Press on Thursday.

A statement posted to Lucas' social media account did not directly address the substance of the charges, but said Thursday's actions amounted to the federal government wielding its  full weight  against a great-grandmother.

 I will not be intimidated. I will not be bullied. And I will not back down,  Lucas said in the statement.


The brazen 82-year-old lawmaker has spent decades climbing the ranks of Virgin
#fox4news   #crimewatchdallas