Hamilton County witness to testify in former Tennessee House Speaker’s trial

MGN

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) — Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his former chief of staff Cade Cothren are scheduled to stand trial this week on federal charges linked to an alleged kickback scheme involving state-funded mailing services.

The two men face a 20-count indictment accusing them of conspiracy, bribery, and money laundering after Cothren created a company, Phoenix Solutions LLC, to win business from state lawmakers.

According to WTVF, prosecutors say Casada and former Hamilton County lawmaker Robin Smith helped steer business to the company while concealing Cothren’s involvement.

Smith, who has already pleaded guilty to her role in the scheme, is expected to testify against Casada and Cothren as a key government witness.

Prosecutors argue that the group used false names and sham invoices to funnel over $35,000 in kickbacks, while defense attorneys claim the state received the services it paid for.

The trial is expected to last several weeks in federal court in Nashville.