Tennessee Politicians Corruption Pardons
Case Timeline
Casada-Cothren Phoenix Solutions Scheme (2019)
Glen Casada (House Speaker) and Cade Cothren (Chief of Staff) created a fraudulent consulting firm called “Phoenix Solutions”:
- Operated under fictitious name “Matthew Phoenix” - a person who did not exist
- Casada’s then-girlfriend impersonated an associate of this fictitious person
- Fake signature appeared on IRS tax documents
- Secured $52,000 taxpayer-funded mailer program for Tennessee lawmakers
- Obtained over $150,000 in campaign and caucus work from unsuspecting lawmakers
Casada/Cothren Earlier Scandals (2019)
Before corruption charges, both resigned in disgrace after:
- Exchanging sexually explicit text messages about women
- Cothren sending racist text messages
- Cothren admitting to using cocaine inside legislative office building
- No-confidence vote forced Casada to resign as Speaker
FBI Raids (January 2021)
FBI raided Casada’s and Cothren’s homes in January 2021 - while Trump was still in office (investigation began during Trump’s first term).
Brian Kelsey Campaign Finance Scheme (2016)
State Senator Brian Kelsey orchestrated illegal campaign finance scheme during his 2016 congressional campaign:
- Used federal super PAC to channel money to state PAC
- State PAC then funneled money to his federal campaign
- Violated federal limits on coordination between campaigns and PACs
- Violated contribution limits
Brian Kelsey Guilty Plea (October 2022)
Kelsey pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges.
Brian Kelsey Sentencing (2023)
- Sentence: 21 months in federal prison
- Plus probation period and fines
Brian Kelsey Pardon (March 2025)
President Trump pardoned Brian Kelsey in March 2025.
Casada/Cothren Trial and Conviction (2025)
Both went to trial and were found guilty:
| Defendant | Charges | Verdict | Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glen Casada | 17 counts wire fraud, money laundering | Guilty | 36 months, $30,000 fine |
| Cade Cothren | 12+ counts | Guilty | 30 months, $25,000 fine |
John Rich Advocacy (2025)
Country music star John Rich publicly called for Trump to pardon both Casada and Cothren after their convictions.
Casada/Cothren Pardons (November 7, 2025)
President Trump personally called Casada to inform him of “full and unconditional pardon.”
White House Justification:
“The Biden DOJ significantly over-prosecuted these individuals for a minor issue involving constituent mailers — which were billed at competitive prices, never received a complaint from legislators, and resulted in a net profit loss of less than $5,000.”
Reality Check: Investigation actually began during Trump’s first term, and FBI raids occurred while Trump was still in office.
The Pardoned Politicians
Glen Casada
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Position | TN House Speaker (Jan-Aug 2019); State Rep (2001-2021) |
| Party | Republican |
| Charges | 17 counts: wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy |
| Verdict | Guilty |
| Sentence | 36 months, $30,000 fine |
| Pardon | November 7, 2025 |
Cade Cothren
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Position | Chief of Staff to Speaker Casada |
| Party | Republican |
| Charges | 12+ counts: wire fraud, money laundering |
| Verdict | Guilty |
| Sentence | 30 months, $25,000 fine |
| Pardon | November 7, 2025 |
Brian Kelsey
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Position | TN State Senator |
| Party | Republican |
| Charges | Campaign finance conspiracy |
| Plea | Guilty |
| Sentence | 21 months |
| Pardon | March 2025 |
Co-Conspirator NOT Pardoned
Robin Smith
- Fellow Republican and co-conspirator in Phoenix Solutions scheme
- Quickly flipped and became FBI informant
- Sentenced to 8 months and $7,500 fine
- Did NOT receive pardon - sources indicated no expectation Trump would pardon cooperating witness
Related Advocacy
John Rich
Country music star John Rich publicly advocated for Casada and Cothren pardons after their convictions.
Tennessee GOP Connections
All three pardoned politicians were connected to Tennessee Republican establishment and Trump-aligned state politics.
Analysis
This pattern of pardons is notable for several reasons:
-
Multiple Tennessee Republicans - Three separate Tennessee GOP politicians pardoned for corruption
-
Investigation started under Trump - The Casada/Cothren investigation began during Trump’s first term; FBI raids occurred January 2021 while Trump was still president
-
Celebrity advocacy - Country star John Rich publicly pushed for Casada/Cothren pardons
-
White House minimization - Administration called scheme a “minor issue” despite $150,000+ in fraud
-
Cooperating witness not pardoned - Robin Smith, who became FBI informant, did not receive pardon
-
Political rehabilitation - Cothren reportedly considering return to “public service” after pardon
-
Pattern of corruption pardons - Tennessee politicians join long list of Trump pardons for convicted GOP officials
Sources
Casada/Cothren Coverage
- CBS News - Trump Pardons Tennessee’s Casada and Cothren
- NBC News - Trump Pardons Former Tennessee House Speaker
- Washington Post - Trump Pardons Ex-Tennessee GOP House Speaker
- Nashville Banner - Trump Pardons Glen Casada, Cade Cothren