美国司法部长托德·布兰奇周四表示，共有七人因涉嫌参与一起大规模敲诈勒索、贩毒和洗钱共谋案而被逮捕或投案，其中包括弗吉尼亚州参议员、弗吉尼亚州参议院临时议长莉莉·路易丝·卢卡斯。
US Attorney General Todd Blanche said Thursday that seven individuals had been arrested or surrendered in connection with an alleged large-scale racketeering, drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy, including Virginia state Sen. Lillie Louise Lucas, the president pro tempore of the Virginia Senate.
布兰奇在新闻发布会上说：“今天上午，七人因涉嫌参与一起大规模RICO（《受敲诈勒索及腐败组织法》）贩毒和洗钱共谋案而被逮捕或投案。”
“This morning, seven individuals were arrested or surrendered for allegedly participating in a large-scale RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy,” Blanche said at a news conference.
布兰奇表示，卢卡斯已被起诉，罪名共五项：敲诈勒索共谋、共谋分销和持有意图分销大麻、共谋洗钱、共谋实施诚实服务欺诈，以及维持涉毒场所。
Lucas has been indicted on five counts: racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to launder money, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and maintaining a drug-involved premises, said Blanche.
据布兰奇称，被告目前处于联邦羁押之下，预计周四晚些时候将在联邦法院进行首次出庭。
The defendants are in federal custody and initial appearances in federal court were expected later Thursday, according to Blanche.
联邦调查局局长卡什·帕特尔指控卢卡斯利用其公职身份庇护一个涉嫌犯罪的活动。
FBI Director Kash Patel accused Lucas of using her public position to shield an alleged criminal operation.
帕特尔说：“在她担任弗吉尼亚州参议员期间，她非但没有执法，反而如起诉书所指控的那样在违法，然后利用她的权力地位和公众信任来转移视线并为自己犯罪团伙辩护。”
“During her time as Virginia state senator, instead of enforcing the law, she was actually breaking the law as alleged in the indictment, and then using her position of power and public trust to deflect and defend against her own criminal enterprise,” said Patel.
敲诈勒索共谋指控通常依据RICO提出，检察官用该法追诉涉嫌有组织的犯罪活动。
Racketeering conspiracy charges are often brought under RICO, which prosecutors use to pursue alleged coordinated criminal activity.