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Virginia state Sen. Louise Lucas indicted on drug and money laundering charges
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas and several family members have been indicted by a grand jury on charges including racketeering conspiracy, marijuana distribution, and money laundering related to illegal marijuana sales.
- The indictment alleges Lucas used her position as chairwoman of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee to shield a criminal marijuana enterprise from scrutiny and influence legislation for financial gain.
- FBI agents seized marijuana and firearms from two of Lucas’s marijuana shops earlier this year during an investigation that began under President Biden’s administration.
- Prosecutors claim Lucas paid $750,000 for a stake in a shell company created to obtain a Virginia marijuana license for a co-conspirator and received a bribery payment in return, failing to disclose this interest on required financial forms.
- Lucas, who has long advocated for marijuana legalization, has surrendered to law enforcement; the investigation and story are ongoing.
