A federal grand jury has indicted Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas and six other defendants, including members of her family, over an alleged years-long conspiracy involving illegal marijuana sales and money laundering.

Lucas, 82, serves as president pro tempore of the Virginia Senate and chairs the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, giving her significant influence over state budget legislation. Federal prosecutors allege that she used her political position and a network of businesses to help protect an illegal marijuana operation while enriching herself and her associates.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the indictment accuses Lucas and a close-knit group of family members and associates of building a criminal marijuana enterprise. Investigators allege the group used Lucas' position to shield the operation from scrutiny and influence legislation in ways that could financially benefit its members.

Lucas faces charges including racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to possess and distribute marijuana, and conspiracy to launder money. She surrendered to authorities following the indictment, according to the Justice Department.

Lucas rejected the government's actions in a statement released Thursday, portraying the case as an attempt to silence her. She said she grew up under Jim Crow and had spent her life fighting back against people in power who tried to intimidate her.

“I will not be intimidated. I will not be bullied. And I will not back down,” Lucas said.

Her legal defense team said it would wait for additional details before providing a more specific response to the allegations.

The indictment follows an FBI investigation that included searches of Lucas' hometown office and marijuana-related businesses in May. Investigators reportedly recovered marijuana and firearms from two stores. Lucas had previously characterized the searches as an attempt to intimidate her.

The indictment also alleges Lucas paid $750,000 for a 100% ownership stake in a shell holding company that prosecutors say was established to help a co-conspirator obtain a Virginia license to sell marijuana. Authorities further allege Lucas later received a payment from that individual in exchange for her assistance.

According to the Justice Department, Lucas failed to disclose her financial interest in the entity on required legislative economic interest forms. Prosecutors also allege she met with the co-conspirator at the state Capitol complex to receive part of a repayment and discussed the individual's qualifications for a recreational marijuana license with other officials, including lawmakers.

The allegations place Lucas' business dealings under scrutiny as Virginia prepares to launch regulated recreational marijuana sales. The state has passed legislation allowing retail sales to begin July 1, 2027, but commercial recreational sales have not yet started under the new system.

Lucas has long advocated for marijuana legalization and partnered in opening The Cannabis Outlet in 2021, initially selling hemp and cannabidiol products. Prosecutors allege that businesses associated with her and the other defendants went beyond permitted activity by acquiring and distributing illegal quantities of marijuana.

Lucas has also operated businesses providing residential, transportation and other services to adults with intellectual disabilities. Her latest financial disclosures reportedly did not identify the cannabis business by name, despite her publicly discussing her ownership stake in it.

Lucas has represented her Portsmouth-area district in the Virginia Senate since 1992 and has become one of the chamber's most influential Democrats. She became president pro tempore in 2019, after Democrats gained control of the Senate, and later took charge of the chamber's powerful budget committee.

Her political career began in Portsmouth city government, following earlier work at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. In 1971, she became the shipyard's first female shipfitter, and in 1984 she became the first Black woman elected to the Portsmouth City Council.

In the state Senate, Lucas has been a prominent advocate for abortion rights, public school funding, and civil rights. She has also played a major role in high-profile political battles, including Democrats' unsuccessful effort this year to redraw Virginia's congressional districts in a way that would have favored Democratic candidates.

The indictment arrives weeks before Election Day, although Lucas is not up for reelection this year. The case remains an allegation, and the charges must be resolved through the federal court process.