Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas arrested on corruption charges
Virginia state Senator L. Louise Lucas and six others have been arrested on federal charges including bribery, racketeering, and money laundering related to a cannabis business. Lucas has denied the allegations, framing them as an attempt to silence her.
Why it matters
Involves a high-ranking public official in a significant criminal investigation, raising questions about political corruption and the legal cannabis industry.
Hear this story Federal prosecutors on Oct. 22 announced the arrest of a Virginia politician and a half dozen others in connection with an alleged bribery and racketeering scheme.
According to an indictment filed Oct. 14 in the Eastern District of Virginia, state Sen. Lille Louise Lucas and six other co-defendants are charged with conspiring to distribute and possess marijuana, conspiring to launder money, laundering money and committing bribery by distributing large quantities of illegal marijuana under the auspices of her legal medical cannabis business.
All seven defendants, who also include two daughters and one grandson of Lucas, are currently in federal custody, U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced at a news conference Oct. 22. He said he believes they will make an initial appearance in court on Thursday afternoon. It was not immediately known if she had obtained an attorney who could comment on Lucas' behalf.
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