FBI raids VA State Senator L Louise Lucas’ office in corruption probe
Virginia State Senator L. Louise Lucas’s office is raided by the FBI as part of a federal corruption and illegal cannabis business probe. Former Assistant FBI Director Chris Swecker explains the intricacies of such investigations, especially concerning conflicting state and federal laws on marijuana. Swecker states, “This is hugely significant.”
Democrats accused the Trump administration of political prosecution after powerful Virginia Senate President Pro-Tem L. Louise Lucas’ Portsmouth office and cannabis dispensary was raided by the FBI.
However, reports surfaced after the raid that the investigation into the 81-year-old, three-decade senator was started under former President Joe Biden’s administration.
Scandal-plagued Attorney General Jay Jones, whose comments about envisioning the murder of the commonwealth’s former GOP House Speaker roiled his ultimately successful campaign, cast aspersions on President Donald Trump and “failed prosecutions” of his political “enemies.”
“We simply do not have sufficient information about the reported FBI activity in Portsmouth. However, several previous actions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia have undermined public confidence in that office,” he said of the Alexandria-centered prosecutor’s office that handles cases in Lucas’ region.
One of Lucas’ top allies in Richmond and a fellow Portsmouth lawmaker also expressed outrage and pointed the finger at the White House.
The Associated Press, New York Times and other outlets reported several sources within the federal government telling them the probe that sparked the raids began under the octogenarian Delawarean.
Lucas’ deputy in Richmond also fired off a missive lambasting Trump, claiming he has proven his intent to “target the Commonwealth of Virginia” because it voted for Kamala Harris in 2024.
Meanwhile, Lucas fired back in a statement obtained by Richmond conservative radio host John Reid, the 2024 GOP lieutenant gubernatorial nominee.
No further information has been released by the FBI about any charges against Lucas, who was not detained in the operation.
The raid began a 48-hour period for Virginia Democrats, who on Friday saw Lucas’ redistricting effort implode in court, giving Republicans nationally a major boost in their efforts to hold the House majority.
Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital. He covers media, politics, and culture for Fox News Digital. Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.
