NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A former speaker of the Tennessee House and his former top aide have been convicted of defrauding the state.

Former state Rep. Glen Casada (R-Williamson County) and his former chief of staff, Cade Cothren, were tried on federal charges tied to a money making scheme. The two were accused of pushing the state of Tennessee to use a company started by Cothren.

House Republicans used taxpayer money to hire the political mailing group, unaware Cothren was behind the firm.

Click here to read United States of America v. Glen Casada/Cade Cothren

Cothren, with Casada’s support, established a company called Phoenix Solutions with the goal of providing constituent mail services to Tennessee General Assembly members. In 2022, Casada and Cothren were indicted on conspiracy charges, alleging that they engaged in a fraudulent scheme to enrich themselves by using their official positions to obtain state approval of Phoenix Solutions as a mailer program vendor.

The indictment also charges Casada and Cothren with using a fictitious name to carry out a fraud, theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, eight counts of money laundering, six counts of honest services wire fraud, and two counts of bribery and kickbacks.

Just seven months into 2019, Casada resigned from his role as House speaker amid a scandal in his office. He was hit with allegations including sending racist and sexist text messages to his former aide, Cothren. The FBI raided Casada’s and Cothren’s homes in January 2021.

Federal agents searched the offices and homes of several Republican Tennessee lawmakers in January 2021, a move that led three legislative staff members to be placed on paid administrative leave.

Cothren allegedly sent racist and sexually explicit text messages between 2014 and 2016. Cothren admitted to drug use during that time and claimed he was seeking help.

On Friday, May 16, Casada was found guilty on 17 of 19 counts -- he was acquitted on two of the honest service wire fraud counts -- while Cothren was found guilty on all counts.

In the multi-count indictment, each charge has a maximum prison sentence and fine, with 20 years in prison and $500,000 fine for just one count as a maximum.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/former-tennessee-house-speaker-chief-of-staff-found-guilty-in-fraud-trial/