President Donald Trump has granted pardons to former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his one-time chief of staff, Cade Cothren, clearing them of public corruption charges after the White House said the Biden Justice Department “significantly over-prosecuted” both for a minor issue.
Casada was sentenced in September to three years in prison, while Cothren received a 2½-year sentence, according to The Associated Press.
Prosecutors accused the pair of running a scheme to secure taxpayer-funded mail business from lawmakers after losing their leadership positions.
The White House said Thursday night that Trump approved the pardons because the cases involved constituent mailers billed at competitive prices, and prosecutors had not received complaints from legislators.
A White House official said the case’s net profit loss was under $5,000, yet it featured an armed raid, a perp walk, and the potential for lengthy prison terms — measures usually reserved for multimillion-dollar fraud cases.
The case centered on a company called Phoenix Solutions, launched by Cothren with the knowledge and support of Casada and then-Rep. Robin Smith. Prosecutors said the company was purportedly run by “Matthew Phoenix,” later determined to be fictitious.
Casada and Smith’s companies received roughly $52,000 in taxpayer money in 2020 from the mailer program. The signature of “Matthew Phoenix” appeared on an IRS tax document, and Casada’s then-girlfriend allegedly posed as the fictitious associate.
Casada resigned as speaker in 2019 after a no-confidence vote by Republicans amid scandals, including sexually explicit texts with Cothren. Cothren also left his post over those texts and racist messages, as well as admitting to cocaine use inside a legislative office during a previous job.
A White House official said the pardons reflect Trump’s view that the Biden Justice Department “significantly over-prosecuted these individuals for a minor issue.”
The move continues a pattern of Trump using his second term to grant pardons to political allies, prominent public figures, and others convicted of defrauding the public.
Past pardons include Democratic former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Republican ex-Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm, and reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, all of whom had federal convictions for corruption or fraud.
