Thursday’s unused tax surge already ran. Wednesday’s unused Micev 60 months already ran. This is Sunday’s unused federal paper. An indictment is not a conviction.
Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, Thursday Oct. 22: an eight-count indictment charged seven defendants for alleged roles in a racketeering conspiracy — marijuana distribution, money laundering, honest-services fraud through bribery, maintaining drug-involved premises, firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and wire fraud. Lillie Louise Lucas, 82, of Portsmouth, Virginia state senator, is among them. DOJ: she allegedly led the “Lucas Enterprise,” including her two daughters and her grandson, and allegedly arranged acquisition and distribution of 100 kilograms or more of marijuana and supervised laundering of proceeds. 100 kilograms alleged is not a verdict. FBI Director Kash Patel: a five-year scheme “worth an estimated $4.5 million.” Estimated is not forfeited. Attorney General Todd Blanche: the charges “reveal the behavior of a public servant who put her own financial interests before the people she was elected to serve.” Those are his words. They are not a jury.
Same OPA file: Lucas was elected in 1991, president pro tempore since 2020, chair of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee. Carlton Upton Jr., 54, of Chesapeake, alleged business partner in VA Freedom Life; April 2020, alleged false attestations on an EIDL application funded at $11,800. 2021: Lucas and daughter Lisa Lucas-Burke opened The Cannabis Outlet in Portsmouth. Daughter Theresa Lucas-Lamb and grandson Ryan Eichelberger allegedly acquired marijuana and supervised distribution. Aug. 2022: Lucas allegedly paid $750,000 for a 100% stake in a shell holding a co-conspirator’s expected recreational license, and allegedly met at her capitol-complex office about a bribery payment. May 6: FBI search warrants at The Cannabis Outlet and The CBD Shoppe; agents recovered marijuana and firearms. Recovered is not convicted. CBS: she faces five of the eight counts; she surrendered Thursday. CBS / Blanche: she is not on the November ballot; he said there was “nothing improper” about the timing. A press conference is not a trial.
BBC / attorney Anthony Capozzolo: they were “surprised and disheartened.” Lucas “denies these charges in their entirety.” He told the BBC she would plead not guilty. A planned plea is not a plea entered on this page. We will not invent one. Lucas, on X, BBC/CBS: “I will not be intimidated. I will not be bullied. And I will not back down.” “I grew up under Jim Crow.” “I’ve seen what happens when people in power try to silence those who stand up to them.” A statement is not a dismissal. DOJ, same release: “An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.” We will keep that line. We will not reprint Thursday’s unused 76 defendants or $490 million intended as first-day news. We will not reprint Micev 60 months. We will not invent seven convictions.
What this means for you
If you needed Thursday’s unused crime, it still stands as 76 defendants, $490 million intended, 31 newly charged. If you needed this noon’s unused file, it is eight counts, seven defendants, Lucas among them, charges not convictions. If you needed a verdict, wait.
Bottom line: Eight counts. Seven charged. $4.5 million alleged. Not convicted. Not the tax surge reprinted.
GLHR NEWS explains the news. Not investment, tax, or trading advice. Do your own work before you act.
