TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on May 16, 2025

A federal jury on Friday found former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada guilty on 17 of 19 charges and his former chief of staff, Cade Cothren, guilty on all 19 counts. Casada and Cothren each face up to 20 years in prison at sentencing, and attorneys for both men said they plan to appeal, The Tennessean reports. Casada was acquitted on two fraud charges but convicted of conspiracy to commit theft and fraud, theft, bribery and kickbacks, honest services wire fraud, use of a fictitious name, money laundering conspiracy, and money laundering. The trial included key testimony from former Rep. Robin Smith, R-Hixson, an alleged co-conspirator, as well as Office of Legislative Administration Director Connie Ridley, both of whom played central roles in the prosecution’s case. Read more in a press release from the U.S. attorneys office.