Judge Denies Mistrial in Casada, Cothren Corruption Trial

A federal judge has denied a mistrial motion in the corruption trial of former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his ex-chief of staff Cade Cothren, following the accidental playing of an unredacted audio recording for the jury. The recording included a statement by Casada suggesting that current House Speaker Cameron Sexton would not have approved a contract with Phoenix Solutions if he knew Cothren was involved, which defense attorneys argued was highly prejudicial. Judge Eli Richardson ruled that the error was not intentionally made by prosecutors and that the statement was not so prejudicial or incriminating as to warrant a new trial. The trial centers on allegations that Casada and Cothren conspired to steer state funds to a consulting firm secretly owned by Cothren, who had been blacklisted after a texting scandal, by pressuring lawmakers and hiding his involvement. The defense contends the prosecution is politically motivated. Proceedings will continue with the current jury.