Federal Judge Acquits Casada, Cothren on 3 Charges, Other Counts Stand

Federal Judge Eli Richardson acquitted former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his ex-chief of staff Cade Cothren on three charges related to public corruption, ruling that prosecutors failed to prove they acted as agents of the state government. Despite this, Casada remains convicted on 14 counts and Cothren on 16 counts, including fraud, bribery, theft, conspiracy, and money laundering, with sentencing pending. The acquitted charges involved obtaining property by fraud from the state and bribery related to programs receiving federal funds. The case centers on allegations that Casada and Cothren exploited a secret company, Phoenix Solutions, to divert state resources for constituent mailers. Their attorneys have requested a new trial and acquittal on remaining charges. Judge Richardson emphasized that Casada's role as a state representative does not automatically make him an agent of the state, which factored into the acquittals.