A Norfolk federal judge released L. Louise Lucas on her own recognizance Thursday after her first court appearance facing narcotics and fraud charges. An 8 count indictment alleges the 82 year old Virginia State Senator led a racketeering and money laundering conspiracy that generated nearly $5 million in profits over five years. The Justice Department charged six other defendants, including the two daughters and grandson of the Senate President Pro Tempore, for coordinating a large scale marijuana distribution enterprise.
FBI wiretaps cited by prosecutors allegedly capture Lucas claiming the operation was her “last chance” to acquire “generational wealth” and that the local police department protected the ring. The DOJ alleges Lucas used her status as a senior lawmaker and Chair of the Finance Committee to influence legislation and disadvantage competitors to enrich her family business. Attorney General Todd Blanche dismissed questions about the timing of the arrests near an election, stating a “60 day rule” is not written policy, while Lucas has described the prosecution as “political intimidation.”