Glen Casada in 2019
Federal agents on Friday searched homes and offices of several Tennessee lawmakers and staff.
David Boling, a spokesperson for U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Don Cochran, confirmed that FBI agents visited the home of former Speaker Glen Casada on Friday as well as multiple offices at the Cordell Hull legislative office building. Boling would not say what the target of the probe was.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton, who succeeded Casada, confirmed Friday that the offices of Republican Reps. Casada, Robin Smith, Todd Warner and Kent Calfee were part of the search, though he said he does not believe Calfee to be a target of the investigation. Sexton added that he has been cooperating with the federal investigation and that he is placing staff members targeted by search warrants on indefinite paid administrative leave.
"This day is a sad day for Tennessee and the General Assembly," Sexton said.
Director of Legislative Administration Connie Ridley confirmed that Sexton interim chief of staff Holt Whitt and legislative assistants Carol Simpson and Nadine Korby were placed on leave. Simpson works for Casada and Korby for Calfee.
NewsChannel5's Phil Williams reported that agents visited the Nashville homes of former Casada aides Cade Cothren and Whitt, who now serves as chief of staff to Sexton. Investigators also visited Smith's home, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Multiple media outlets have reported in recent years that the FBI was investigating the process by which Casada pushed through Gov. Bill Lee’s education savings account bill. During a frantic 2019 floor session, Casada held a vote on the bill open for more than half an hour as he cajoled more members to support it. Members from both parties later said Casada offered them enticements to vote for the plan, which passed by a single vote but has since been declared unconstitutional in ongoing litigation.
Later that year, Casada stepped down following reports about sexist and racist texts sent by his top aide Cothren to him. House Republicans elevated Sexton, who opposed the voucher bill, to speaker.
"No person is above the law," House Majority Leader William Lamberth and House GOP Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison said in a joint statement. "When the public’s trust is broken, it is inexcusable and unacceptable. We fully support and respect law enforcement’s duty to investigate any wrongdoing in this matter."
Lee said Friday he was aware of the searches and said “it’s certainly very concerning.” The governor said the FBI has not reached out to his office.
“I have confidence Speaker Sexton is on top of the situation,” Lee said.
