82-year-old US senator charged with marijuana trafficking and money laundering

L. Louise Lucas, an 82-year-old Virginia Democratic state senator and president pro tempore of the Senate, has been indicted with six others, including relatives, in an alleged illegal marijuana sales and money-laundering scheme. Prosecutors say she used businesses to build her family’s wealth and wielded political influence to shield the operation and advance its financial interests. Lucas, a longtime advocate for marijuana legalization, condemned the federal prosecution; her daughter Lisa Lucas-Burke is also charged and is running for Portsmouth City Council. Governor Abigail Spanberger said the accused should be able to defend themselves and criticized the indictment’s timing, weeks before Election Day.