🗞️ Story file #816
Virginia state senator indicted on drug trafficking and money laundering charges
Oct 22, 11 AM ET to Oct 25, 11 AM ET · 1 outlet not rated for lean
- 42outlets carried it
- 🫏14 · 7 · 20🐘left · center · right
- 3 dayson the front pages
- 42front pages at once, at its peak
- 6 minof TV captions
- 8radio newscasts
- 15people retold it online
👣 How this story traveled: from the front pages that broke it, out through TV, radio and the shows, into what people retold and what fact-checkers examined, and on into the saga it is part of. Everything here is matched to the story by our tools, so a link can be wrong; the trackers' pages say how each is made.
- Oct 22, 11 AM ETfirst on a front page: The New Republic
- Oct 22, 1 PM ETfirst on the radio: ABC News Update
- Oct 22, 2 PM ETfirst on TV: Fox News
- Oct 23, 8 AM ETretold online by 15 people
- Oct 23, 10 AM ETpeak: on 42 front pages
📰 Spread
the front pages that ran it, hour by hour
📡 wire copy: 5 outlets ran the AP, Reuters headline nearly word for word (Breitbart, Chicago Tribune, Just the News, The Daily Signal, Yahoo News)
📌 linked by aggregators: Drudge Report Google News Political Wire
💬 quoted: “generational wealth” “criminal marijuana enterprise” “Jim Crow” “I've Gotten Too Old To Not Be Greedy” “enterprise”
🗣️ only one side says: 🐘 louise lucas 🐘 trafficking money laundering
✏️ 20 outlets ran more than one headline on it (reworded, or a follow-up)
- ABC News (2 wordings): “Virginia state lawmaker indicted by DOJ in marijuana trafficking conspiracy” → “State lawmaker indicted in marijuana trafficking conspiracy”
- AP (3 wordings): “Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas is charged with drug trafficking and money laundering, DOJ says” → “Powerful Democratic Virginia state Sen. Lucas is accused of leading a marijuana criminal conspiracy”
- BBC (2 wordings): “Prominent Virginia senator charged over allegations she ran criminal marijuana scheme” → “Prominent Virginia senator charged over allegations she ran criminal cannabis scheme”
- Bloomberg (2 wordings): “Virginia State Senator Is Charged in Corruption Case, DOJ Says” → “Virginia State Senator Charged in Corruption Case, DOJ Says”
- Breitbart (4 wordings): “Democrat Virginia State Sen. Louise Lucas Accused of Leading Criminal Enterprise” → “DOJ: Virginia Democrat State Sen. Louise Lucas Charged with Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering”
- Chicago Tribune (2 wordings): “Powerful Virginia Democratic state lawmaker L. Louise Lucas accused of leading a marijuana criminal conspiracy” → “Powerful Democratic Virginia state senator accused of leading ‘criminal marijuana enterprise’”
- Fox News (2 wordings): “Democrat lawmaker indicted on drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud charges” → “Virginia state senator indicted, accused of leading a marijuana distribution enterprise”
- Just the News (3 wordings): “Democratic Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas charged with drug trafficking, money laundering: DOJ” → “Virginia state senator invokes 'Jim Crow' after Feds indict octogenarian on drug trafficking charges”
- NBC News (3 wordings): “BREAKING: High-ranking Virginia state Democrat charged in public corruption case” → “High-ranking Virginia Democrat charged in public corruption case”
- Newsmax (2 wordings): “Dem Lawmaker Lucas Accused of Drug Conspiracy” → “Dem Lawmaker Louise Lucas Accused of Drug Conspiracy”
- Red State (4 wordings): “VA Democrat Powerhouse Louise Lucas Arrested” → “Watch Top Virginia Democrat Arrested on Fraud and Drug Trafficking Charges RedState Video”
- The Daily Caller (2 wordings): “‘I’ve Gotten Too Old To Not Be Greedy’: Feds Hit Virginia State Senator With Pot-Fueled Racketeering Charges” → “Editor Daily Rundown: Powerful Virginia Democrat Charged In Federal Marijuana Probe”
- The Daily Signal (2 wordings): “Top Democrat Virginia Lawmaker Charged by DOJ With Running Illegal Cannabis Operation” → “Sen. Louise Lucas Indicted on Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering Charges”
- The Epoch Times (5 wordings): “Virginia Senator L. Louise Lucas Charged With Federal Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering” → “Feds Indict Longtime Virginia State Sen. L. Louise Lucas on Drug Trafficking, Corruption Charges”
- The Gateway Pundit (2 wordings): “BREAKING: Virginia Democrat Louise Lucas Charged with Racketeering and Money Laundering in Cannabis Corruption Case, Patel Blasts Her During Press Conference (VIDEO)” → “NEW: Crooked, Trump-Hating Virginia Democrat Louise Lucas Responds After Getting Busted by Federal Authorities”
- The Hill (4 wordings): “Live updates: DOJ indicts top Virginia Democrat on corruption, drug ...” → “Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas charged with public corruption”
- The Post Millennial (2 wordings): “BREAKING: Feds arrest VA Dem Senate President Pro Tempore for drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud” → “Virginia Dem Louise Lucas indicted for leading $4.5 million criminal drug enterprise”
- The Western Journal (2 wordings): “Breaking: High-Ranking Virginia Dem Arrested on Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering Charges” → “Virginia Dem Charged with Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering Blames Jim Crow for Arrest”
- Townhall (4 wordings): “Top Virginia Democrat Arrested on Fraud and Drug Trafficking Charges” → “Virginia Democrat Decries Her Arrest As Political Targeting”
- Washington Examiner (4 wordings): “Democratic Virginia Sen. Louise Lucas indicted in alleged marijuana racketeering scheme” → “Louise Lucas indictment suggests lawmakers knew about drug racket”
Every outlet's first headline (42), left to right by AllSides rating
MSNBC
Top Virginia Democrat indicted Oct 23, 10 AM ET
The Guardian
Virginia Democrat indicted on federal drug and money-laundering charges Oct 22, 4 PM ET
The New Republic
Feds Arrest Top Democratic Leader in Redistricting Fight Oct 22, 11 AM ET
ABC News
Virginia state lawmaker indicted by DOJ in marijuana trafficking conspiracy Oct 22, 11 AM ET
AP
Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas is charged with drug trafficking and money laundering, DOJ says Oct 22, 11 AM ET
Axios
Virginia Sen. Louise Lucas arrested on federal drug, corruption charges Oct 22, 1 PM ET
CBS News
Feds charge powerful Virginia Democrat in alleged drug scheme Oct 22, 11 AM ET
CNBC
Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas, a Trump critic, charged in marijuana racketeering case Oct 22, 12 PM ET
CNN
Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas indicted on drug and money laundering charges Oct 22, 11 AM ET
Mediaite
Trump DOJ Indicts Virginia Dem Who Helped Lead State’s Pro-Democrat Redistricting Push on Drug and Corruption Charges Oct 22, 1 PM ET
NBC News
BREAKING: High-ranking Virginia state Democrat charged in public corruption case Oct 22, 11 AM ET
PBS NewsHour
WATCH: Blanche and Patel announce charges for Democratic Virginia lawmaker Lucas Oct 22, 1 PM ET
USA Today
State Sen. Louise Lucas arrested on bribery, racketeering charges Oct 22, 12 PM ET
Yahoo News
Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas charged with drug trafficking and money laundering Oct 22, 11 AM ET
BBC
Prominent Virginia senator charged over allegations she ran criminal marijuana scheme Oct 22, 6 PM ET
Bloomberg
Virginia State Senator Is Charged in Corruption Case, DOJ Says Oct 22, 11 AM ET
Chicago Tribune
Powerful Virginia Democratic state lawmaker L. Louise Lucas accused of leading a marijuana criminal conspiracy Oct 22, 11 AM ET
Reuters
Top Democratic Virginia lawmaker charged by DOJ with running illegal cannabis operation Oct 22, 2 PM ET
Scripps News
Crime Virginia state lawmaker Louise Lucas accused of drug trafficking, racketeering AP via Scripps News Group Oct 22, 11 AM ET
The Hill
Live updates: DOJ indicts top Virginia Democrat on corruption, drug ... Oct 22, 11 AM ET
WSJ
Virginia Democratic Lawmaker Charged With Alleged Marijuana Conspiracy Oct 22, 11 AM ET
Just the News
Democratic Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas charged with drug trafficking, money laundering: DOJ Oct 22, 11 AM ET
The Epoch Times
Virginia Senator L. Louise Lucas Charged With Federal Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering Oct 22, 11 AM ET
Washington Examiner
Democratic Virginia Sen. Louise Lucas indicted in alleged marijuana racketeering scheme Oct 22, 12 PM ET
Breitbart
Democrat Virginia State Sen. Louise Lucas Accused of Leading Criminal Enterprise Oct 22, 3 PM ET
Fox News
Democrat lawmaker indicted on drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud charges Oct 22, 11 AM ET
IJR
Virginia Senator Louise Lucas Indicted in Marijuana Scheme Oct 22, 12 PM ET
New York Post
Feds indict prominent Virginia lawmaker and family for marijuana criminal ‘enterprise’ Oct 22, 11 AM ET
Newsmax
Dem Lawmaker Lucas Accused of Drug Conspiracy Oct 22, 12 PM ET
OAN
DOJ: Va. Dem state senator indicted in alleged drug operation Oct 22, 2 PM ET
PJ Media
BUSTED: Feds Arrest Corrupt Virginia Dem — and Her Family Members, Too Oct 22, 2 PM ET
Red State
VA Democrat Powerhouse Louise Lucas Arrested Oct 22, 11 AM ET
The Blaze
Alleged 'generational wealth' conspiracy lands powerful Virginia Democrat senator in police custody Oct 22, 1 PM ET
The Daily Caller
‘I’ve Gotten Too Old To Not Be Greedy’: Feds Hit Virginia State Senator With Pot-Fueled Racketeering Charges Oct 22, 11 AM ET
The Daily Signal
Top Democrat Virginia Lawmaker Charged by DOJ With Running Illegal Cannabis Operation Oct 22, 12 PM ET
The Daily Wire
Feds Arrest Powerful Virginia Democrat In Cannabis Corruption Probe Oct 22, 11 AM ET
The Federalist
2 Trending: Dem Leader Of Virginia Senate Arrested On Public Corruption Charges Oct 23, 8 AM ET
The Gateway Pundit
BREAKING: Virginia Democrat Louise Lucas Charged with Racketeering and Money Laundering in Cannabis Corruption Case, Patel Blasts Her During Press Conference (VIDEO) Oct 22, 11 AM ET
The Post Millennial
BREAKING: Feds arrest VA Dem Senate President Pro Tempore for drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud Oct 22, 11 AM ET
The Western Journal
Breaking: High-Ranking Virginia Dem Arrested on Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering Charges Oct 22, 12 PM ET
Townhall
Top Virginia Democrat Arrested on Fraud and Drug Trafficking Charges Oct 22, 11 AM ET
The Washington Sun
Feds Arrest Democrat Who Led Virginia’s Redistricting Push Oct 22, 11 AM ET
📡 Broadcast
TV, radio, and the shows that talked about it
📺 On TV
- DEM VA STATE SENATOR BUSTED OVER ALLEGED DRUG RING Fox News, 2 min
- VA. STATE SEN. L. LOUISE LUCAS INDICTED ON DRUG AND MONEY LAUNDERING CHARGES CNN, 2 min
- STATE SENATOR ACCUSED OF LEADING POT EMPIRE Fox News, 35 s
- VA DEM STATE SEN FACES DRUG TRAFFICKING CHARGES Fox News, 30 s
- POWERFUL VIRGINIA DEMOCRAT INDICTED CNN, 18 s
- VIRGINIA DEMOCRAT INDICTED Fox News, 17 s
- STATE SENATOR'S SMOKE SCREEN? Fox News, 16 s
- AN. JAMES TALARICO QUICKLY NAMES HIS "FAVORITE" DRAG QUEEN WHEN ASKED Fox News, 10 s
📻 On the radio
- NPR News Now, Oct 23, 6:10 AM ET: story 3 of 5
- NPR News Now, Oct 23, 2:09 AM ET: story 5 of 7
- NPR News Now, Oct 23, 1:10 AM ET: story 4 of 6
- NPR News Now, Oct 22, 9:10 PM ET: story 3 of 7
- NPR News Now, Oct 22, 7:10 PM ET: story 6 of 8
- ABC News Update, Oct 22, 4:32 PM ET: story 2 of 3
- NPR News Now, Oct 22, 3:10 PM ET: story 4 of 8
- ABC News Update, Oct 22, 1:05 PM ET: story 3 of 7
🧶 Retelling
what people online made of it
🧩 How it's being told
The stories under this news, from our motif index, and who told each: the shows we follow by their lean, people online, fact-checkers. A story people tell, not a claim that it's true; claims are matched to this story by our tools, so a link can be wrong.
- 🧩 The family business
🐘 5 right shows 🧶 online
“Virginia State Senator Louise Lucas is accused of running a criminal enterprise to traffic marijuana.” and 1 more - 🧩 Graft
🐘 5 right shows
“Virginia State Senator Louise Lucas is accused of running a criminal enterprise to traffic marijuana.”
🧶 Retold online
- Virginia State Senator Louise Lucas is federally indicted for allegedly leading a marijuana trafficking and money-laundering enterprise. Oct 23: told by 15 people
🦋 Widely seen on Bluesky
🦋 a post on Bluesky · 549 likes, 208 reposts
🦋 a post on Bluesky · 36 likes, 11 reposts
On Folklore: the latest in full, with their motifs and who is telling them.
🗣️ names in it: Virginia L. Louise Lucas
🔎 Checking
what the fact-checkers looked into
🧐 No fact-checker has taken it on yet.
🧵 Persistence
the running story it belongs to
🌱 A story of its own so far: no saga yet.