Overview

• A federal jury convicted former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada on 17 charges and his former chief of staff Cade Cothren on all 19 charges, including theft, bribery, money laundering, and wire fraud.
• The scheme involved funneling $51,947 in taxpayer funds through Phoenix Solutions, a fake political consulting firm operated by Cothren under the fictitious identity 'Matthew Phoenix.'
• Former Rep. Robin Smith, who pleaded guilty in 2022, testified that the defendants concealed their involvement in Phoenix Solutions to avoid scrutiny following prior scandals.
• Casada and Cothren face up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for September 2025; both remain free on bond and plan to appeal the verdict.
• The case highlights federal efforts to combat public corruption, with the FBI and DOJ emphasizing the importance of holding elected officials accountable for abusing public trust.