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RICHMOND, Va. (Gambling911.com) - A Virginia state senator who calls herself the Casino Queen is facing federal criminal charges.
State Sen. L. Louise Lucas, 82, was federally indicted Thursday, October 22, 2026, in an alleged $4.5 million marijuana trafficking, money laundering and political corruption scheme. Lucas has served as a state senator since 1992 and is Chair of Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.
The Justice Department claims that two daughters and a grandson were involved in the scheme. Prosecutors claim that Lucas and others ran two businesses, The Cannabis Outlet in Portsmouth and The CBD Shoppe in Norfolk, were used to distribute marijuana without the necessary licenses. The group allegedly laundered proceeds from illegal marijuana sales.
They further contend that Lucas allegedly used her political influence to protect the operation from law enforcement scrutiny and that Lucas allegedly attempted to influence legislation and licensing decisions to benefit her financial interests.
One of the more consequential allegations involves Lucas' reported $750,000 investment in a company connected to a prospective recreational marijuana license. Prosecutors say Lucas failed to disclose the ownership interest on required financial forms and linked assistance with marijuana licensing to receiving money.
“Louise Lucas has served in a position of public trust in the Commonwealth of Virginia for over three decades,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The charges alleged in this indictment reveal the behavior of a public servant who put her own financial interests before the people she was elected to serve. Our federal prosecutors will continue to be guided by the facts and evidence that led a grand jury to indict Ms. Lucas and her alleged co-conspirators.”
“Today’s indictment reveals Louise Lucas allegedly abused her position of public trust as a 30-year Virginia State Senator to put her own financial interests ahead of the people she represents — orchestrating a five-year scheme worth an estimated $4.5 million,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The charges allege Lucas and a close-knit group of family members and associates used Lucas’ position as Chairwoman of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee to protect their criminal marijuana enterprise — the ‘Lucas Enterprise’ — insulating the business from criminal scrutiny and influencing legislation to financially benefit themselves.”
“This indictment alleges that a sitting Virginia State Senator led a criminal organization that exploited access and influence to facilitate drug trafficking and other offenses,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Theophani K. Stamos for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Public office is a position of trust and should never be abused for personal gain. I am grateful to the agents and prosecutors whose dedication and tireless work throughout this years-long investigation has culminated in this indictment.”
The "Casino Queen" title comes from Lucas' nearly two decades pushing to legalize commercial casinos in Virginia. Her efforts helped produce the 2020 legislation allowing casino development in selected cities. One of the biggest beneficiaries was her hometown of Portsmouth.
The casino opened in January 2023, becoming Virginia's first permanent commercial casino.
Lucas is not accused of any wrongdoing involving her legislative efforts tied to the casino.
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- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
