VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The chairwoman of the Virginia Beach Republican Party has been indicted on a felony charge of intercepting wire communications, online court documents show.
Laura Hughes was indicted by a grand jury on Monday with an offense date of Feb. 21.
According to the indictment, Hughes "did intentionally intercept, endeavor to intercept, or procured another to intercept or endeavor to intercept a wire, electronic or oral communication in violation of §§19.2-62(A)(1); 18.2-10 of the Code of Virginia (1950) as amended."
It's unclear what the charges stem from.
The grand jury's true bill of indictment was dated June 3, 2024.
A spokesperson confirmed to 13News Now that a special prosecutor from Northampton County is handling the case since Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney Colin Stolle is a Republican elected official and Hughes is the city's Republican Party chairperson.
According to the Virginia Beach Republican Party's website, Hughes began serving as chair this year with her term expiring in 2026. She previously served on the Virginia Beach School Board from 2019 to 2022 and is also an attorney.