Justice Department

Published November 3, 2026 at 3:00PM

A vote here sign outside the Vienna Community Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Election Day has been unfolding smoothly in Fairfax County, as local officials reported a steady but manageable stream of voters visiting the polls to help determine control of Congress, among other issues.

As of noon, 13.3% of the county’s approximately 824,000 registered voters have cast a ballot today (Tuesday), according to the Fairfax County Office of Elections. That brings the total turnout so far up to 41.2% when coupled with a strong showing for early voting of 27.9% or over 227,000 voters.

News

Surovell expresses ‘full support’ for Lucas amid marijuana criminal conspiracy charges

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published October 22, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated October 22, 2026 at 8:29PM

FILE - Virginia Senate President pro tempore Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, listens to debate on the Senate floor, Feb. 17, 2026, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Ryan M. Kelly, File)

Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34) called for restraint as the state’s political establishment reels from accusations of marijuana trafficking and money laundering against Senate President pro tempore L. Louise Lucas.

One of the state’s most powerful Democrats and Portsmouth’s representative in the state Senate since 1991, Lucas (D-18) was charged today (Thursday) by the U.S. Department of Justice with racketeering, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to launder money, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and maintaining a drug-involved premises.

Countywide

Justice Department will send election monitors to Fairfax for August primaries

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 13, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated July 14, 2026 at 11:20AM

A sign at the Franconia District Governmental Center announcing that early voting for the Aug. 4, 2026 primary elections will start on July 25 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The U.S. Department of Justice will be keeping a close eye on Fairfax County’s upcoming Aug. 4 Congressional primaries.

The county is one of two jurisdictions in Virginia, along with Prince William County, where the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division plans to send election monitors, VPM News and the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported today (Monday).

Countywide

Trump administration sues Virginia over assault weapons ban

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published July 1, 2026 at 5:30PM | Updated July 2, 2026 at 1:12PM

FILE - Assault style weapons and hand guns are displayed for sale at Capitol City Arms Supply on Jan. 16, 2013, in Springfield, Ill. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

Virginia is facing another lawsuit over its newly adopted but not-yet-enacted ban on future sales and manufacturing of assault firearms.

The Trump administration sued the Commonwealth of Virginia and Virginia State Police in federal court today (Wednesday), arguing that its planned restrictions on gun sales violate the Second Amendment.

Countywide

Virginia leaders maintain support for new ICE-related laws targeted by DOJ lawsuit

By Emily Leayman

Published June 17, 2026 at 2:45PM

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Washington Field Office in Chantilly (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Two state laws sponsored by state Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D-37) seeking to restrain federal immigration enforcement agents are being challenged by the Trump administration’s Justice Department.

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia’s Richmond Division last Thursday (June 11), challenges Virginia’s incoming ban on law enforcement officers wearing face masks and restrictions on cooperation agreements between federal immigration enforcement and state and local law enforcement agencies.

News

DOJ alleges McLean man texted death threat to federal employee

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 30, 2025 at 1:30PM

The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A McLean man is facing federal prosecution after allegedly threatening a federal employee via a Google Voice text message.

The Justice Department charged Scott Allen Bolger, 33, last Friday (Dec. 26) with sending threats across state lines and making false statements when questioned by investigators, according to a press release and court documents.

News

McLean man pleads guilty to Covid relief fraud involving casino gambling, real estate

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 26, 2024 at 1:30PM

Casino chips (photo via Chris Liverani on Unsplash)

A McLean resident has pleaded guilty to spending federal COVID-19 relief funds intended for his home business on personal expenses, including gambling and real estate payments.

Mehdi Pazouki, 65, pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday (Feb. 23) to defrauding the Small Business Administration of approximately $455,000 in loans created to help businesses survive during the pandemic, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern District of Virginia.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published July 1, 2022 at 7:30AM

The U.S. flag flies outside the Freeman Store and Museum in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

FCPS Expands FOIA Staffing and Budget — “Fairfax County Public School added half a million dollars in this year’s budget to keep up with public records requests, which have more than tripled since 2016 and gotten broader in scope. The increase comes as the school system finds itself the subject of political vitriol over COVID precautions and racial equity programs, among other issues.” [DCist]

Vermont Senator Falls at McLean Home — “U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont was set to undergo surgery Thursday after he broke his hip in a fall at his home, according to his spokesman. The 82-year-old Democrat fell Wednesday night in McLean, Virginia, a statement Thursday morning said.” [Associated Press]