A Democratic lawmaker is facing federal charges after investigators alleged that political influence helped protect a lucrative criminal business operation.
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Virginia state Senator Louise Lucas was indicted Thursday in a case involving alleged marijuana trafficking, money laundering, and corruption.
The 82-year-old Portsmouth Democrat was charged alongside six defendants, including relatives, according to the Justice Department.
Federal authorities allege Lucas led an enterprise that used her position to shield illegal activities and advance financial interests.
FBI Director Kash Patel described an alleged five-year scheme worth approximately $4.5 million.
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Attorney General Todd Blanche said the charges concern a public servant who prioritized financial interests over the people she represented.
“Our federal prosecutors will continue to be guided by the facts and evidence,” Blanche said.
The department announced an eight-count indictment covering the seven defendants’ respective alleged roles, rather than identical charges against every person.
The case includes allegations involving racketeering, marijuana distribution, money laundering, bribery-related honest services fraud, drug premises, firearms and wire fraud.
Prosecutors allege Lucas approved activities involving the acquisition and distribution of at least 100 kilograms of marijuana.
They also accuse her of overseeing the laundering of proceeds generated through the alleged marijuana operation.
Lucas has served in Virginia’s Senate since her election in 1991 and became president pro tempore in 2020.
She also chairs the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, giving her influence over budgets, taxes and state spending.
Patel said the alleged enterprise exploited that position to protect its business and influence legislation for private benefit.
The indictment’s allegations extend to Lucas’s two daughters and a grandson, along with other associates.
According to the Justice Department, Lucas and daughter Lisa Lucas-Burke opened The Cannabis Outlet in Portsmouth in 2021.
Another daughter, Theresa Lucas-Lamb, and her son, Ryan Eichelberger, allegedly acquired marijuana and supervised distribution.
Prosecutors say they also managed The Cannabis Outlet for the alleged enterprise.
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Carlton Upton Jr., 54, of Chesapeake, was identified as Lucas’s business partner in VA Freedom Life.
The department described that company as an umbrella for The CBD Shoppe and The Cannabis Outlet beginning in 2019.
Upton allegedly worked with Lucas to obtain a recreational marijuana license that would benefit the enterprise.
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He also allegedly made false statements in an April 2020 application for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
That application resulted in $11,800 in funding, according to the department’s announcement.
The financial allegations also include a substantially larger transaction involving an anticipated recreational marijuana license.
Prosecutors allege Lucas paid $750,000 in August 2022 for ownership of a business serving as a shell holding company.
That company allegedly held a co-conspirator’s expected Virginia recreational marijuana license.
Lucas allegedly failed to disclose her interest in that entity on financial disclosure forms.
The department says she met the co-conspirator at her office in the capitol complex to receive a partial repayment.
It also alleges discussions with other officials about licensing qualifications were tied to her receipt of a bribery payment.
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Those allegations place official access and potential legislative influence at the center of the corruption case.
On May 6, FBI agents executed search warrants at The Cannabis Outlet and The CBD Shoppe.
Agents recovered marijuana and firearms at both locations, according to the Justice Department.
The investigation therefore involved searches months before the indictment, rather than beginning with Thursday’s announcement.
Officials have described the investigation as years long and rejected accusations that the prosecution was politically motivated.
Lucas surrendered Thursday and appeared in federal court in Norfolk, where she was released on her own recognizance.
She has characterized the case as an effort to intimidate her and has vowed that she will not back down, NBC News reported.
The indictment comes shortly before the midterms, although Lucas is not seeking reelection this year.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
