Former Tennessee Speaker Glen Casada arrested in corruption probe

FBI agents arrested Casada and Cothren at their homes

[{"selector":"#anim-c0e10105-9819-41b2-8da4-e67758a2127f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-18.67965376204055%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-57601a71-d793-47bb-9771-8787616f6cd4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7549d220-df1e-4b6e-91df-8c0aa92cf1a8","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-359deg) translate3d(0px, 170.02578%, 0) rotate(359deg)","rotate(-359deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(359deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

If convicted, they each face up to 20 years in prison.

[{"selector":"#anim-b243562f-e843-4ed6-a262-b08f15dde31c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d8aa1d39-d58f-4e29-8b4e-c8f20b1cd954 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(1.1752945521305165%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Casada resigned as speaker in 2019 but held onto his seat after revelations that he and Cothren had exchanged sexually explicit text messages about women years earlier.

[{"selector":"#anim-71f3cb35-0714-420c-961f-39134249dbc3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-702a3fa6-d88f-4f43-9599-0ae81f0961cb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(7.611704659304859%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

FBI agents searched the homes and offices of several state lawmakers in January 2021, including those of Casada and Smith, and the home of Cothren.

[{"selector":"#anim-2229bc4d-70dd-487a-a6f4-79a875bf87bd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-62cf29be-8edb-4009-b980-6a2ad9a60c42","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Cothren launched Phoenix Solutions with Smith’s and Casada’s “knowledge and support” to offer mail and consulting services to lawmakers.

[{"selector":"#anim-ee29c629-5bd3-4b8d-bb0a-53db23e12c79 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-10343956-4946-4c00-bded-0aa7f19217d9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Federal investigators said a separate text exchange showed Casada texted Cothren in late 2019 saying “I think this is starting off well I’m pleased!”

[{"selector":"#anim-e31c3968-2f61-4fed-a867-44207a655681 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2c23ef0f-7bfe-4193-8e48-324c2e3ad0f6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Phoenix Solutions received roughly $52,000 from the state in payments associated with the mailer program, according to the charging documents.

[{"selector":"#anim-c9f7ca7b-9696-4b81-9a21-5bf6e040055d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(2.994645335705304%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-40236fc7-82dd-418f-abf8-64cbd9c751db","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Cothren continues to fight a subpoena over the state campaign finance regulators’ investigation into the Faith Family Freedom Fund PAC.

[{"selector":"#anim-e202cd93-6351-4842-91de-51fab154569b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Click for More

[{"selector":"#anim-8cf967e3-8725-41d2-9045-6fa7f90ba85a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]