One of the most powerful Democrats in Virginia could be expelled from her seat before the new legislative session is a month old. State Senator Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania, has pre-filed a resolution directing a Senate committee to investigate Senator Louise Lucas and consider removing her from the chamber. The Portsmouth Democrat was indicted last month on federal charges tied to an alleged marijuana racketeering scheme that prosecutors say enriched her family.
The indictment, unsealed in late October, charged Lucas with five federal counts: racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to launder money, conspiracy to commit honest-services fraud, and maintaining a drug-involved premises. Prosecutors accuse her of using her power to shape legislation and make around $4.5 million over the past seven years from an illegal marijuana business. Six co-defendants, including her grandson and two daughters, were charged in the alleged scheme.
Reeves’ Senate Resolution 173, filed ahead of the legislative session that begins January 13th, directs the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections to investigate Lucas and asks members to consider expelling her. The resolution pulls directly from the federal court documents. Those documents allege Lucas told a co-conspirator, while discussing a bill she was working on, “This is our last chance at generational wealth.”
As 7News reported, Reeves defended the move in a statement. “I firmly believe in the quality of the American justice system and its processes. I want to emphasize that Senator Lucas is innocent until proven guilty. That being said, our General Assembly retains independent constitutional authority to investigate potential misconduct, and allegations of this highest order cannot simply be ignored,” Reeves said.
“We are responsible for ensuring the Commonwealth of Virginia maintains a steady course, and that we put forward beneficial, constitutionally viable laws with the ultimate goal of prosperity for all Virginians, not personal gain,” he continued. “It is important for the sake of our democracy that we hold our fellow members accountable for their actions, regardless of their status or leadership roles.” The resolution also highlights two other alleged conversations from the court documents.
In one, Lucas allegedly told someone discussing the legalization of marijuana-related conduct, “And make it legal because I did, when I did it, it was obviously illegal.” The second centers on recreational marijuana licenses, with federal investigators accusing Lucas of saying, “We trying to disqualify somebody until he pays me back my money.” Both remarks appear in the federal court documents.
7News reached out to Lucas about the resolution and received no response by publication. She has denied the accusations since the charges were announced. “I have one thing to say: I am not a victim. I am a survivor. I’ve been fighting all my life, and I continue to fight now,” Lucas said on October 26th. Asked whether she would resign, the senator responded, “Absolutely not,” as Hampton Roads station WTKR reported.
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Governor Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), has faced questions about whether Lucas should step down or lose her committee assignments. 7News put those questions to the governor during an October 25th event. “Certainly, multiple federal charges to include public corruption, as well as racketeering and a number of others, extraordinarily serious allegations, are listed out in this indictment, and I will be making further comments on this case and circumstances in the coming days and weeks,” Spanberger said.
Watch the senator refuse to resign below:
The resolution is just the first step in the process. If the Committee on Privileges and Elections finds wrongdoing, it could propose a reprimand with a majority vote of senators present and voting, a censure placing Lucas last in seniority, a referral to the attorney general, or expulsion with a two-thirds vote of the elected membership. A separate resolution would be needed to remove her, and 27 of the 40 senators would have to approve it.
Lucas has already said she will fight the charges. Asked whether she planned to plead not guilty, the senator responded, “Absolutely, I’m not guilty.” She declined to discuss the text messages detailed in the indictment, saying, “I have nothing to say about that until we go to court.” She is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court in Newport News on November 16th.
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video.