US Federal prosecutors on Thursday arrested a prominent Virginia lawmaker over allegations she oversaw a cr!minal cannab!s enterprise
Democratic state Senator L Louise Lucas and six other people, including her family members, have been charged in relation to a sweeping racketeering case that allegedly involves fravd, drvg violations and bribery.
Lucas, 82, claimed the prosecution was politically motivated in a statement on X.
“I will not be intimidated,” she wrote. “I will not be bullied. And I will not back down.”
While she has not entered a formal plea, Lucas’ attorney, Anthony Capozzolo, told the BBC she would plead not guilty.
Capozollo said they were “surprised and disheartened” to learn of the indictment and that Lucas “denies these charges in their entirety.”
Lucas and her alleged co-conspirators are charged with obtaining and illegally distributing large amounts of illegal cannab!s.
The government has also accused her of using her political influence to benefit herself and her family.
Lucas was herself charged with five counts, including racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute cannab!s, conspiracy to launder money, conspiracy to commit honest services fravd and maintaining drvg-involved premises.
Other alleged participants were charged with a firearm charge and wire fravd.
Lucas is not running for re-election. But her daughter Lisa Lucas-Burke, who is also charged in the indictment, is running for the city council of Portsmouth, Virginia.
“I grew up under Jim Crow,” Lucas wrote on X in response to the charges, referencing an era of legal segregation in the US.
“I’ve seen what happens when people in power try to silence those who stand up to them. I spent my entire life fighting back, and I’m not stopping now.”
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
