Robin Smith gets parole instead of jail time

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Former lawmaker Robin Smith will avoid serving jailtime for a kickback scheme in the Tennessee legislature.

The Republican cooperated with state investigators in the prosecution of House Speaker Glen Casada and an aide in 2019.

They were convicted of setting up a firm to handle mailings for lawmakers and hiding their involvement in it.

Both Casada and Cade Cothren were convicted based on Smith’s testimony but were later pardoned by President Trump.

On Monday, Smith was notified that her eight month sentence was changed to probation.

She was supposed to report to prison on Monday.

Her attorney argued it was unfair that she should have to serve time if the people she testified against did not.