Jury Selected for Casada, Cothren Federal Corruption Trial

The federal corruption trial of former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his ex-chief of staff Cade Cothren has begun in Nashville after multiple delays. Both face 20 counts, including bribery, money laundering, and fraud, related to an alleged kickback scheme involving the shell company Phoenix Solutions, which prosecutors say was secretly run by Cothren under an alias to secure state contracts for political mailers. The government alleges Casada and former Rep. Robin Smith, who has pleaded guilty and will testify, pressured House members to use Phoenix Solutions, receiving kickbacks in return. Jury selection concluded with a 12-person panel and alternates, and the trial is expected to last up to four weeks, featuring testimony from current and former state lawmakers. Casada and Cothren maintain their actions were legal since services were rendered, pleading not guilty to all charges. The case has drawn significant attention due to the involvement of high-profile Tennessee political figures and the broader implications for statehouse ethics.