Bhuvneshwar Kumar Not Found, Casada Trial Begins
The prosecution and defense have presented their arguments, with the prosecution arguing that Casada and Cothren used their position to obtain state funds for contracts, while the defense claims this is just how the legislature runs. The outcome of the trial remains to be seen, with the testimony of key witnesses still to come.
Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his former aide Cade Cothren are facing a federal trial for allegedly running a political mailing group with taxpayer money and hiding Cothren's involvement, with each facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The case accuses them of bribery, kickbacks, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The trial is expected to include testimony from current and former lawmakers and staffers, including House Speaker Cameron Sexton and former Rep. Robin Smith, who has pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge. Smith will testify about her agreement with Casada and Cothren, while Sexton will testify about the requirements of the postage and printing allowance.
The indictment alleges that Cothren created an alter ego, Matthew Phoenix, to run the company and that Casada and Cothren received bribes and kickbacks from Cothren. Prosecutors claim they used a fake company, Phoenix Solutions, to provide mail services to lawmakers, with Casada receiving kickbacks. The first witnesses, former Reps. Patsy Hazelwood and Esther Helton-Haynes, testified that they would not have worked with Cothren if they knew about his involvement, citing his bad reputation.
The defense has argued that the investigation was orchestrated by current House Speaker Cameron Sexton, a political enemy, and that Cothren used the fake name Matthew Phoenix due to media scrutiny from a texting scandal. The trial is ongoing, with House Speaker Cameron Sexton expected to testify, which could be a crucial moment in the trial.