Follow-Up: Virginia State Sen. Louise Lucas Arrested on Federal Charges With Six Co-Defendants

Federal prosecutors announced on October 22 the arrest of Virginia state Sen. Lille Louise Lucas, 82, and six other defendants. According to a 45-page indictment filed October 14 in the Eastern District of Virginia, Lucas and her co-defendants are charged with conspiring to distribute and possess marijuana, conspiring to launder money, money laundering and bribery, allegedly distributing large quantities of illegal marijuana under the auspices of Lucas's legal medical cannabis business. The six co-defendants, who include two of Lucas's daughters and a grandson, are Lisa Lucas Burke, Prince Albert Williamson Hudson, Ryan Eichelberger, Theresa Lucas-Lamb, Carlton Upton, Jr. and Tameka Johnson.

All seven defendants are in federal custody. U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the arrests at an October 22 news conference and said the defendants were expected to make an initial appearance Thursday afternoon; he alleged Lucas arranged for getting and distributing marijuana, supervised laundering of the proceeds, used her political influence to demand and accept a bribe, and tried to influence Virginia legislation to benefit herself and her family. In a statement posted on X, Lucas said she would 'fight back,' adding, 'I will not be intimidated. I will not be bullied, and I will not back down.' On May 6, the FBI searched Lucas's office and a cannabis retail business she co-owns in Portsmouth, The Cannabis Outlet. Lucas has served in the state senate since 1992, is its president pro tempore and one of the state's most prominent Democrats, and is a critic of President Trump; she helped lead Virginia's recent redistricting effort. The indictment contains allegations only, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted.

Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)

Photo: 弗吉尼亚州议会大厦（Richmond）。照片：Farragutful，CC BY-SA 4.0，来源：Wikimedia Commons

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