FBI raids Virginia Sen. Lucas’ office and dispensary in Biden-era probe
FBI raids office of VA State Senator L Louise Lucas as part of corruption investigation
The office of Virginia State Senator L. Louise Lucas was raided by the FBI as part of an investigation into federal corruption and an illegal marijuana business. Former FBI Deputy Director Chris Swecker explains the complexities of such investigations, especially regarding conflicting state and federal laws regarding marijuana. “This is extremely important,” says Swecker.
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Democrats accused the Trump administration of political investigation after the FBI raided the Portsmouth office and marijuana dispensary of powerful Virginia Senate President Pro-Tem L. Louise Lucas.
However, after the raid, news emerged that the investigation into the 81-year-old senator of 30 years was initiated under the administration of former President Joe Biden.
Scandal-plagued Attorney General Jay Jones — whose comments envisioning the killing of the state’s former GOP House Speaker hobbled his ultimately successful campaign — slandered President Donald Trump and pursued “failed prosecutions” of his political “enemies.”
“We do not have sufficient information about reported FBI activity in Portsmouth. However, several previous actions by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia have eroded public confidence in that office,” he said of the Alexandria-based prosecutor’s office that handles cases in Lucas’ district.
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President Joe Biden winks as he hosts U.S. governors and their spouses for a black tie dinner following meetings of the National Governors Association at the White House State Dining Room in Washington, D.C., on February 24, 2024. (Saul Loeb/AFP)
“These include failed lawsuits against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, both stated political enemies of President Trump, who were both dismissed by a judge well before trial. I urge everyone to exercise restraint until the facts of this matter are known,” Jones said, referring in part to allegations of misconduct by James in connection with a home in nearby Norfolk. he said.
Rep. Bobby Scott, a Newport News Democrat who has represented Lucas’ district for 33 years, harshly criticized Trump following the raid.
“While we await the full facts of the investigation, it is necessary to recognize that this FBI raid occurred within a broader context tied to President Trump’s repeated misuse of the Justice Department to target perceived political rivals,” Scott said, before adding that the timing of the raid was notable after Virginia voters approved Lucas’ redistricting proposal.
“Senator Lucas helped lead Virginia voters’ successful effort to reject President Trump’s attempt to rig the midterm elections,” he said, echoing Jones’ concerns about recent Trump-era investigations of James, Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell and former G-Man James Comey.
“Like all Americans, Senator Lucas has the right to due process and the presumption of innocence,” Scott said.
One of Lucas’ top allies in Richmond and a Portsmouth lawmaker also expressed outrage and pointed the finger at the White House.
Virginia House Speaker Don Scott Jr. “Let’s start with this: Senator L. Louise Lucas has not been charged with anything! I am deeply concerned about today’s FBI raid,” he said.
“Given the politicization of this administration, an FBI led by Kash Patel and a Justice Department led by President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, I think people need to approach this with some caution and let the facts come out before jumping to conclusions,” he said.
Speaker Scott said “theatrics and speculation” had gotten in the way of verifiable information about the case, before criticizing Fox News’ coverage of the matter.
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Senator L. Louise Lucas speaks on the Senate floor at the Virginia State Capitol on March 8, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. (Washington Post via Minh Connors/Getty Images)
The Associated Press, the New York Times and other outlets reported that multiple sources within the federal government said the investigation that led to the raids began with the Delawarean in his eighties.
“The investigation into Democratic Sen. L. Louise Lucas was opened during the administration of Democratic former President Joe Biden, one of the people said. Both spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing criminal investigation,” AP reported.
Another official told News from the United States (NOTUS) stated that the investigation into Lucas was “financial” in nature and began under Biden, while the New York Times described its origins similarly and cited “corruption and bribery” concerns.
Lucas’ aide in Richmond also lashed out at Trump, claiming that his vote for Kamala Harris in 2024 has proven his intent to “target the State of Virginia.”
“Senator L. Louise Lucas is an outspoken and historic figure in Virginia politics and has not been charged with a single crime,” said Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Mount Vernon.
Surovell, an attorney in Fairfax County, said Trump has “destroyed” the Justice Department’s independence and said the president wrongly fired former U.S. Attorney for West Virginia Todd Gilbert (the same official whose murder Jones predicted) and “purged” career employees in prosecutors’ offices.
“Every Virginian should be very concerned about the rule of law and how it is implemented in this country and the Commonwealth,” Surovell said in a statement. he said.
Lucas, meanwhile, hit back at a statement obtained by 2024 GOP lieutenant governor candidate Richmond conservative radio host John Reid.
“Federal agents’ actions today involve multiple state senators; they are about power and who is allowed to act on behalf of the people. What we are seeing fits a clear pattern of this administration: when challenged, they seek to intimidate and silence voices that oppose them,” Lucas said.
“I was proud to help lead [the redistricting] “I have made that effort and have never been afraid to stand up to Donald Trump or anyone who tries to undermine our democracy,” he said, adding that he will not back down and will continue to fight for and represent Portsmouth.
“LOL, of course Louise,” Reid said in response on social media.
“Everyone knows that the longer the day, the more honest and pure-hearted you are.”
Reid said blaming Trump is “the best play” in this situation because “a lot of TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) zombies will believe you right away.”
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Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell and House Speaker Don Scott Jr. They are seen together in a photo. (Minh Connors for The Washington Post/Shannon Finney for SEIU/Getty Images)
No further information was released by the FBI about any charges against Lucas, who was not taken into custody during the operation.
The raid kicked off a 48-hour period for Virginia Democrats; Republicans, who saw Lucas’ redistricting efforts implode in court on Friday, gained a major boost across the country in their efforts to retain the House majority.
