Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his chief of staff Cade Cothren received calls from President Donald Trump on Thursday offering them full pardons for their convictions, according to multiple media reports.
Judge Eli Richardson hands down a term similar to that of former aide Cade Cothren for role in Phoenix Solutions affair
The two were found guilty of honest services wire fraud, conspiracy, bribery, theft and money laundering after a trial in May. In September, Cothren was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison, one year of probation and a $25,000 fine. Casada was soon after sentenced to three years in federal prison, fined $30,000 and given one year of supervised release.
Legal representation for the two had requested a mistrial, which was denied, and was working on appeals for the convictions. In March, Trump pardoned former state Sen. Brian Kelsey (R-Germantown), who was set to serve 21 months in prison after pleading guilty to federal campaign finance charges for his failed run for Congress in 2016.
The nine-hour sentencing on Tuesday postponed former House Speaker Glen Casada’s related sentencing in Phoenix Solutions scandal
The convictions of Casada and Cothren were tied to a kickback scheme the two operated along with former state Rep. Robin Smith (R-Hixson) through a consulting firm, Phoenix Solutions, which was involved in business with other Tennessee politicians. Smith was reportedly also seeking a pardon from the president, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
As of Friday morning, multiple outlets have reported the pardons, but no official paperwork has been filed. The Associated Press reports that the White House said "the Biden administration Justice Department 'significantly over-prosecuted' both for a minor issue."
"It is good news," Casada told The Tennessee Journal via text message. “I’m just grateful to the president and his trust and understanding of my innocence. I can now get on with my life!”
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
