What the fuck is Leia doing with Lak Sivrak?

That Lance Armstrong bit is from 2003.

If this is going to be a prequel, why would she need to have jacked, diesel, cut arms? To lift those over-sized diner trays while making failed attempts to balance her checkbook?

That is not what a "plea bargain" is. A plea bargain is an admission of guilt in exchange for an admission from the prosecution for leniency in other charges or sentencing.