Don’t Cross ‘the Big Guy’: Reflecting on Sen. Lucas and ‘The Sopranos’

I always liked the premise of the TV show “The Sopranos,” a guy stuck between “the Family” and his family. I never watched much because I didn’t have the spare change to pay for HBO, but I catch up on episodes here and there. One of the returning themes I enjoyed was the tension between the crew and the New York Lupertazzi family.

I was reminded of this theme as Fox News reported that the FBI investigation into Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas and her business empire was started under President Joe “the Big Guy” Biden.

As leaks from investigators speaking on condition of anonymity began to probe into alleged associations and use of a political office to attain financial benefits, I was left chuckling under my breath. “Well, they ought to know,” I thought.

The senator’s statement posted to social media following the raid takes the position that famous New York Mob attorney Bruce Cutler used to take each time Rudy Giuliani would bring in his real-life mob boss client, John Gotti.

Lucas posted on X: “Today’s actions by Federal agents are about far more than one state senator; they are about power and who is allowed to use it on behalf of the people. What we saw fits a clear pattern from this administration: when challenged, they try to intimidate and silence the voices who stand up to them.” She added: “I am not backing down, and I will keep fighting for the people of Portsmouth and the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

Notice the missing declaration of “I didn’t do it.”

Congressman Bobby Scott also issued a statement: “Like all Americans, Senator Lucas has a right to due process and a presumption of innocence.” I recall the same congressman calling for a criminal investigation into President Donald Trump after reports surfaced that alleged Trump tried to ask election officials in Georgia to “find” votes for a victory in 2020.

Presumption of innocence, huh?

Scott also added, “This is occurring just two weeks after Senator Lucas helped lead the successful effort by Virginia voters to reject President Trump’s attempt to rig the midterm elections.” He left out the $70 million from everywhere but Virginia that was spent on that referendum and the likelihood that it won’t survive the Virginia Supreme Court.

Senator Lucas’ dispensary, the Cannabis Outlet, is no stranger to controversy. In 2022, the store was caught selling bars made out of the cereal Lucky Charms that were laced with Delta-9 THC. It’s anyone’s guess what the FBI investigation might find this time.

As James Spurlock reported in March for Bacon’s Rebellion, “She [Sen. Lucas] also serves on the Education and Health Committee, which oversees the Departments of Medical Assistance Services, Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and Health. She serves as CEO and President of, Lucas Lodge, LLC, which is regulated by DBHDS and has been funded by Medicaid since 2005. It provides residential, transportation, and day-support services to individuals with intellectual disabilities in the City of Portsmouth.” 

That doesn’t make it hard to see places the FBI might want to investigate.

We haven’t even mentioned that Lucas’ Cannabis Outlet would benefit enormously under SB 542, a bill that she co-sponsored this session. It sets up a legal marijuana marketplace and taxing authority which, after a back-and-forth with Gov. Abigail Spanberger, is on the governor’s desk waiting to be signed into law. No conflicts of interest there.

Sure, her supporters say the investigation is because Trump lost a referendum vote. But could it instead be because she was muscling in on Joe “The Big Guy” Biden’s territory of using his government position to make money.