“[On social media, posted during Blanche's news conference:] I grew up under Jim Crow. … I spent my life fighting back and I'm not stopping now.
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Louise Lucas Indicted: Blanche, Spanberger, Warner React
Twelve Days Before the Midterms, the Justice Department Charges Virginia Senate Leader L. Louise Lucas With Running a Marijuana Racketeering Enterprise — Attorney General Todd Blanche Says the Pre-Election Rule Is "Not Even a Rule, It's a Practice," Lucas Says "I Grew Up Under Jim Crow," and Warner, Kaine and Bobby Scott Say the Timing "Certainly Raises Questions"
October 22, 2026
What happened▸
On Oct. 22, 2026, federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia unsealed an eight-count indictment of L. Louise Lucas, 82, the president pro tempore of the Virginia Senate and chair of its Finance and Appropriations Committee, and six others, including members of her family. A grand jury returned the indictment on Oct. 14. Prosecutors allege a five-year, roughly $4.5 million "Lucas Enterprise" that sold marijuana through The Cannabis Outlet, a business she co-owns, laundered the proceeds, and used her committee chairmanship to shield the business and steer legislation. Charges include racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, money laundering conspiracy, honest services fraud through bribery, wire fraud, and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. The indictment quotes a February 2026 intercepted call in which Lucas allegedly said, "I've gotten too old to not be greedy."
Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the charges at a news conference in Norfolk. He brushed aside the Justice Department's practice of avoiding overt steps against political figures close to an election, noting that Lucas is not on the Nov. 3 ballot. Lucas, a longtime Trump critic who led Virginia Democrats' redistricting push, posted a statement during the news conference saying she would not back down. Her lawyers called the news conference "highly unusual." Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and Rep. Bobby Scott stressed the presumption of innocence but questioned the timing. Virginia House Speaker Don Scott called the case "weaponization of the justice system."
See what your representatives said?
12 Statements
“[Justice Department press release announcing the indictment:] Louise Lucas has served in a position of public trust in the Commonwealth of Virginia for over three decades. The charges alleged in this indictment reveal the behavior of a public servant who put her own financial interests before the people she was elected to serve. … Our federal prosecutors will continue to be guided by the facts and evidence that led a grand jury to indict Ms. Lucas and her alleged co-conspirators.
“[At a news conference in Norfolk, asked about the Justice Department's practice of avoiding overt actions against political figures close to an election:] The Department of Justice intends to prove that Senator Lucas violated the trust of the people of Portsmouth and Chesapeake. … Her first duty should have been looking out for her constituents before herself. … It's not even a rule, it's a practice. … [But] we cannot bring a charge if our purpose is improper.
“[Justice Department press release:] Today's indictment reveals Louise Lucas allegedly abused her position of public trust as a 30-year Virginia State Senator to put her own financial interests ahead of the people she represents … orchestrating a five-year scheme worth an estimated $4.5 million. The charges allege Lucas and a close-knit group of family members and associates used Lucas' position as Chairwoman of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee to protect their criminal marijuana enterprise — the 'Lucas Enterprise' — insulating the business from criminal scrutiny and influencing legislation to financially benefit themselves.
“[Joint statement from Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and Rep. Bobby Scott:] Allegations of criminal wrongdoing must be taken seriously. As always, the Justice Department must follow the facts and those charged with crime are innocent until proven guilty. … The timing of this announcement, just 12 days before an election, certainly raises questions about the DOJ's motivations.
“[Joint statement from Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and Rep. Bobby Scott:] Allegations of criminal wrongdoing must be taken seriously. As always, the Justice Department must follow the facts and those charged with crime are innocent until proven guilty. … The timing of this announcement, just 12 days before an election, certainly raises questions about the DOJ's motivations.
“[Joint statement from Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and Rep. Bobby Scott:] Allegations of criminal wrongdoing must be taken seriously. As always, the Justice Department must follow the facts and those charged with crime are innocent until proven guilty. … The timing of this announcement, just 12 days before an election, certainly raises questions about the DOJ's motivations.
“[Statement on the indictment, saying the Justice Department has become Trump's] own personal law firm, with his former personal attorney carrying out vendettas on Trump's political enemies.
“[Statement:] People are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and that is true for Senator L. Louise Lucas. … The timing of this indictment undermines the U.S. Department of Justice's previously longstanding policy [against taking legal actions close to an election, and] this timing further erodes the trust the American people deserve.
“[Statement:] Senator Louise Lucas is fully entitled to legal due process and the presumption of innocence. … Allegations of this serious nature warrant a thorough and nonpartisan investigation.
“[Statement:] The federal indictment contains serious allegations, and the justice system will continue to do its job.
“[Statement:] The Trump administration's weaponization of the justice system is deeply troubling. … Senator Lucas will have her chance to respond to these charges in court.