Virginia state senator calls for investigation into Louise Lucas, raises possibility of expulsion

A Virginia state senator is calling for an investigation into Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, following federal criminal charges against her, including consideration of whether she should be expelled from the Virginia Senate.

Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Orange, announced Friday that he filed a resolution asking the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections to investigate allegations brought by the U.S. Department of Justice against Lucas.

The resolution asks the committee to examine whether Lucas potentially violated the General Assembly Conflicts of Interest Act and consider whether her alleged conduct warrants expulsion from the Senate.

Reeves said the allegations, if true, would represent a serious breach of public trust. He also emphasized that Lucas is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

"Our General Assembly retains independent constitutional authority to investigate potential misconduct, and allegations of this highest order cannot simply be ignored," Reeves said.

The committee is chaired by Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach. Under Senate rules cited by Reeves, the committee chair is required to hear resolutions seeking the reprimand, censure or expulsion of a Senate member.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/virginia-state-senator-indicted-leading-criminal-marijuana-distribution-enterprise
Today, an eight-count indictment charged seven defendants for their respective roles in a racketeering conspiracy involving marijuana distribution, money laundering, honest services fraud through bribery, maintaining drug-involved premises, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and wire fraud.

“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 will go far - not! The committee chair is Aaron Rouse, a black man. and former NFL player who’s suing the league because multiple head injuries have impacted his mental capabilities. Yes, this is who my fellow Virginians have elected.

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