The trial of former Tennessee Area speaker and his onetime leader of personnel on bribery, kickback and cash laundering fees is underway, with protection legal professionals arguing that the pair did not anything unlawful
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The trial of former Tennessee Area speaker and his onetime leader of personnel on bribery, kickback and cash laundering fees started on Thursday with protection legal professionals arguing that the pair did not anything unlawful.
The case accuses former Republican Rep. Glen Casada and his former aide Cade Cothren of taking taxpayer cash to supply political mailings whilst hiding Cothren’s involvement after the 2 were stressed out in their management roles following a political scandal.
The charging paperwork say Cothren, underneath the faux title Matthew Phoenix, introduced Phoenix Answers to provide mail and consulting services and products to lawmakers. Cothren registered the corporate in New Mexico for the reason that state lets in nameless registration of LLCs, and rebuffed requests for in-person conferences. Each Casada and previous state Rep. Robin Smith, who took a plea deal within the scheme, promoted the company and its faux proprietor.
In opening statements in federal courtroom in Nashville on Thursday, Cothren legal professional Pleasure Longnecker didn’t dispute that he used the faux title to courtroom trade, WTVF-TV reported. However she mentioned that was once essential on account of the entire unfavorable exposure surrounding him.
“Cade is also a sinner, however he’s now not a felony,” Longnecker mentioned.
Ed Yarbrough, representing Casada, portrayed the investigation as politically motivated and orchestrated via present Area Speaker Cameron Sexton.
“This can be a political fight between competitors,” Yarbrough mentioned.
