Offices Of Virginia Democrat Raided By FBI
FBI agents raided the office of longtime Virginia Democratic State Sen. L. Louise Lucas on Wednesday as part of a federal public corruption investigation tied to the retail marijuana industry, according to federal law…
FBI agents raided the office of longtime Virginia Democratic State Sen. L. Louise Lucas on Wednesday as part of a federal public corruption investigation tied to the retail marijuana industry, according to federal law enforcement sources familiar with the case.
Authorities also searched a nearby cannabis dispensary in Portsmouth, Virginia, that Lucas has publicly acknowledged co-owning. The business, known as The Cannabis Outlet, sits across the parking lot from the senator’s office and was included in the court-authorized operation.
The investigation reportedly centers on allegations of bribery involving the state’s retail cannabis business and claims that the senior Democratic lawmaker may have used her political influence in connection with the industry. Federal officials have not publicly released specific charges or detailed the full scope of the probe.
Images and video from the scene showed FBI agents, including several wearing tactical gear, carrying out the searches early Wednesday morning. Agents were seen removing boxes and other materials from both properties while several law enforcement vehicles surrounded the area.
Lucas later arrived at the scene in a black SUV and briefly spoke with reporters. The 82-year-old senator said she had just returned from a medical appointment and claimed she did not know the reason for the federal activity.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” Lucas told Fox News correspondent Alex Hogan outside the property.
According to reports, three individuals were taken into custody during the operation, though authorities have not publicly identified them or clarified whether the arrests were directly connected to Lucas. Witnesses also reported seeing the senator circling the parking lot multiple times while agents conducted the searches.
State business records have connected Lucas to the cannabis-related property as recently as 2024. The senator has previously promoted the cannabis and hemp industry on social media and has spoken publicly about efforts to expand Virginia’s retail marijuana market.