Virginia’s ‘Casino Queen’ indicted over alleged $4.5m weed ring
Lucas led the 2020 push that brought commercial casinos to Virginia.
The hit
Virginia state senator L. Louise Lucas, who calls herself the state’s “Casino Queen”, has been indicted on federal drug trafficking & money laundering charges, according to Casino.org. Federal prosecutors allege Lucas ran a racketeering enterprise with family members & coconspirators that funnelled marijuana proceeds through illicit channels. Lucas denies the charges & calls the case a politically & racially motivated witch-hunt.
Why it matters
Lucas is Virginia’s Senate president pro tempore & was the driving force behind the 2020 law letting cities like her hometown Portsmouth host slot machines & table games.
The record
| Alleged enterprise proceeds | $4.5m over five years (Department of Justice) |
|---|---|
| Federal charges | 5 counts incl. conspiracy to distribute marijuana, money laundering conspiracy & honest services fraud conspiracy (DOJ indictment) |
| Businesses named | The Cannabis Outlet (Portsmouth) & The CBD Shoppe (Norfolk) |
| Alleged quote | “It’s not hemp. It’s THC,” the senator’s daughter allegedly told an undercover agent (indictment) |
What happens next
Watch for Lucas’s arraignment date & whether she steps back from her Senate leadership role while the case proceeds.
Sources: Virginia Senator Who Calls Herself the ‘Casino Queen’ Indicted
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