Latest news with #CadeCothren
Toronto Star
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Jury convicts ex-Tennessee House speaker and his aide in legislative mail scheme
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A federal jury on Friday convicted a former Tennessee House speaker and his onetime chief of staff in a scheme to win taxpayer-funded mail business from state lawmakers even after scandals drove the two out of political power. Former Republican Rep. Glen Casada was found guilty of all 19 charges, while his then-chief of staff, Cade Cothren, was found guilty of 17 of 19 charges in a public corruption trial that began in late April.
Washington Post
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Jury convicts ex-Tennessee House speaker and his aide in legislative mail scheme
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A federal jury on Friday convicted a former Tennessee House speaker and his onetime chief of staff in a scheme to win taxpayer-funded mail business from state lawmakers even after scandals drove the two out of political power. Former Republican Rep. Glen Casada was found guilty of all 19 charges, while his then-chief of staff, Cade Cothren, was found guilty of 17 of 19 charges in a public corruption trial that began in late April.
The Independent
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Jury convicts ex-Tennessee House speaker and his aide in legislative mail scheme
A federal jury on Friday convicted a former Tennessee House speaker and his onetime chief of staff in a scheme to win taxpayer-funded mail business from state lawmakers even after scandals drove the two out of political power. Former Republican Rep. Glen Casada was found guilty of all 19 charges, while his then-chief of staff, Cade Cothren, was found guilty of 17 of 19 charges in a public corruption trial that began in late April. The current House speaker, Cameron Sexton, helped authorities in the case against his predecessor since taking the job in 2019, he has said. Sexton was among the lawmakers and staffers who testified to the grand jury. But Sexton was noticeably absent as a witness after prosecutors said they planned for him to testify. The defense sought to draw attention to a political rivalry between Casada and Sexton. Ultimately, the defense declined to call any witnesses. Neither Casada nor Cothren testified. And defense attempts to discuss in front of jurors whether Sexton wore a wire were shut down by the judge. Casada resigned as House speaker in August 2019 after a no-confidence vote from fellow House Republicans due to swirling scandals, including revelations he exchanged sexually explicit text messages about women years ago with Cothren. Not long before that, Cothren also left his post over those texts and racist texts, coupled with an admission he used cocaine inside a legislative office building when he held a previous job. The criminal charges center on a time after the pair's political freefall, while Casada was still a sitting lawmaker. The charges claim Cothren launched Phoenix Solutions with Smith's and Casada's knowledge and support. The trio claimed the firm was run by a 'Matthew Phoenix,' as Phoenix Solutions and companies controlled by Casada and then-Rep. Robin Smith received roughly $52,000 in 2020 from the state in payments associated with the taxpayer-funded mailer program for lawmakers. A 'Matthew Phoenix' signature ended up on an IRS tax document. Casada and Cothren were indicted in August 2022 after Smith resigned and pleaded guilty to one charge in the Phoenix Solutions scheme. Smith testified for prosecutors for several days. Defense attorneys noted the state got the mailings it paid for. They tried to paint Smith as untrustworthy and driven by hopes for a lenient sentence under her plea deal. Smith testified that the goal was to keep the current House speaker, the legislative administration director and the public unaware of who was behind Phoenix Solutions due to the 'radioactive' scandal that pushed Casada and Cothren out of power. The taxpayer-funded mailings for House Republicans were a way in to expand later to campaign work, she said. Smith told fellow lawmakers that Phoenix Solutions was run by professionals with a prominent political consulting firm who were tired of doing Washington-related work. Matthew Phoenix's associate, Candice, was portrayed by Casada's then-girlfriend, prosecutors said. In a recorded call played for jurors, a fellow Republican, Rep. Ron Gant, feigned interest in becoming a client and spurred Smith to repeat lies about Phoenix Solutions. Smith said she didn't know she was being recorded. In January 2021, FBI agents searched the homes, legislative offices, or both, of Casada, Cothren, Smith and other statehouse figures. Smith left a voicemail with her attorney when they arrived. But by the time the attorney called back to tell her not to talk, she had already lied about the scheme to agents, Smith testified. The trial's fate became shaky when prosecutors failed to redact a portion of the FBI's interview with Casada that was then played for the jury. But the judge ruled against a defense motion for a mistrial, saying there was other evidence that echoed Casada's mistakenly unredacted comments — that Sexton would have rejected the use of Phoenix Solutions if he knew Cothren was involved. Casada remained a state representative until 2022, when he didn't seek reelection.
Associated Press
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Jury convicts ex-Tennessee House speaker and his aide in legislative mail scheme
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A federal jury on Friday convicted a former Tennessee House speaker and his onetime chief of staff in a scheme to win taxpayer-funded mail business from state lawmakers even after scandals drove the two out of political power. Former Republican Rep. Glen Casada was found guilty of all 19 charges, while his then-chief of staff, Cade Cothren, was found guilty of 17 of 19 charges in a public corruption trial that began in late April. The current House speaker, Cameron Sexton, helped authorities in the case against his predecessor since taking the job in 2019, he has said. Sexton was among the lawmakers and staffers who testified to the grand jury. But Sexton was noticeably absent as a witness after prosecutors said they planned for him to testify. The defense sought to draw attention to a political rivalry between Casada and Sexton. Ultimately, the defense declined to call any witnesses. Neither Casada nor Cothren testified. And defense attempts to discuss in front of jurors whether Sexton wore a wire were shut down by the judge. Casada resigned as House speaker in August 2019 after a no-confidence vote from fellow House Republicans due to swirling scandals, including revelations he exchanged sexually explicit text messages about women years ago with Cothren. Not long before that, Cothren also left his post over those texts and racist texts, coupled with an admission he used cocaine inside a legislative office building when he held a previous job. The criminal charges center on a time after the pair's political freefall, while Casada was still a sitting lawmaker. The charges claim Cothren launched Phoenix Solutions with Smith's and Casada's knowledge and support. The trio claimed the firm was run by a 'Matthew Phoenix,' as Phoenix Solutions and companies controlled by Casada and then-Rep. Robin Smith received roughly $52,000 in 2020 from the state in payments associated with the taxpayer-funded mailer program for lawmakers. A 'Matthew Phoenix' signature ended up on an IRS tax document. Casada and Cothren were indicted in August 2022 after Smith resigned and pleaded guilty to one charge in the Phoenix Solutions scheme. Smith testified for prosecutors for several days. Defense attorneys noted the state got the mailings it paid for. They tried to paint Smith as untrustworthy and driven by hopes for a lenient sentence under her plea deal. Smith testified that the goal was to keep the current House speaker, the legislative administration director and the public unaware of who was behind Phoenix Solutions due to the 'radioactive' scandal that pushed Casada and Cothren out of power. The taxpayer-funded mailings for House Republicans were a way in to expand later to campaign work, she said. Smith told fellow lawmakers that Phoenix Solutions was run by professionals with a prominent political consulting firm who were tired of doing Washington-related work. Matthew Phoenix's associate, Candice, was portrayed by Casada's then-girlfriend, prosecutors said. In a recorded call played for jurors, a fellow Republican, Rep. Ron Gant, feigned interest in becoming a client and spurred Smith to repeat lies about Phoenix Solutions. Smith said she didn't know she was being recorded. In January 2021, FBI agents searched the homes, legislative offices, or both, of Casada, Cothren, Smith and other statehouse figures. Smith left a voicemail with her attorney when they arrived. But by the time the attorney called back to tell her not to talk, she had already lied about the scheme to agents, Smith testified. The trial's fate became shaky when prosecutors failed to redact a portion of the FBI's interview with Casada that was then played for the jury. But the judge ruled against a defense motion for a mistrial, saying there was other evidence that echoed Casada's mistakenly unredacted comments — that Sexton would have rejected the use of Phoenix Solutions if he knew Cothren was involved. Casada remained a state representative until 2022, when he didn't seek reelection.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Casada, Cothren defense lawyers seek mistrial in federal corruption case
The corruption case of former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his ex-chief of staff Cade Cothren hit a snag on May 6 as defense lawyers formally moved for a mistrial. The issue came after prosecutors mistakenly played part of recorded interview between Casada and FBI agents that was supposed to be redacted for jurors. Prosecutors admitted the error and jurors were sent home for the day, as defense lawyers for Casada and Cothren discussed whether to move for a mistrial. Federal District Judge Eli Richardson, who will ultimately decide whether to declare a mistrial, said the error was understandable but seriousness. 'We just can't have an error like this,' he said. Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada arrives with his attorneys at the Fred D. Thompson Courthouse for his trial on federal charges ranging from theft to money laundering conspiracy Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Nashville, Tenn. Casada and his former top aide Cade Cothren face 20 fraud related charges that could to decades in prison. Casada and Cothren each face up to 20 years in prison for charges connected to an alleged bribery scheme involving a shadowy political mailer company that was used by Republican state lawmakers. Prosecutors allege that Cothren formed a mailer company called Phoenix Solutions to hide his identity after he was fired and blacklisted following a lewd and racist texting scandal. He then allegedly conspired with Casada to pressure fellow lawmakers into using the mailer company in return for kickbacks. The defense has argued the case is a form of political payback from the current House speaker. Jurors on May 5 heard a two-and-half hour recording of FBI agents grilling Casada in his home about Cothren and Phoenix Solutions. In the FBI interview, Casada mentions that current House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, would not have approved the state's contract with Phoenix Solutions had he known that Cothren was involved. Prosecutors had agreed not to play that part for jurors. Defense lawyers were concerned that the statement could be prejudicial to Cothren under a legal term called the 'Bruton issue,' where the statement of one co-defendant implicates another co-defendant. In lieu of pushing for a mistrial, attorneys were also considering possibly modifying juror instructions. The trial is now in its third week. A mistrial would mean the case would start over with a new jury. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Glen Casada, Cade Cothren lawyers seek mistrial in TN corruption case
