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The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
Disgraced State Representative Robin Smith’s sentencing has been delayed from June until October so that she can provide further aid to the federal government against her former partners-in-crime as part of her plea agreement.
Former House Speaker Glen Casada and his one-time aide Cade Cothren conspired with Smith – once the leader of the state’s GOP – in a phony vendor kickback scheme that took in approximately $50,000 in state taxpayer dollars.
Smith abruptly resigned her position in 2022 after being indicted on one count of honest services wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for her part in the scheme in connection with the illicit campaign vendor “Phoenix Solutions” that was set up with Casada’s knowledge and run by Cothren under a fictitious name.
Last month, a jury found Casada guilty of 17 counts of fraud, bribery, theft, conspiracy, and money laundering, and Cothren guilty on 19 counts of fraud and kickbacks.
With the pair’s sentencing set for September 12th, they were released on bond. Attorneys for the two are filing appeals.
As the federal government’s chief witness, Smith testified against Casada and Cothren for three days during their trial.
Phoenix Solutions was set up to get payments from a taxpayer-funded program that allowed lawmakers $3,000 annually for mailings to constituents. Cothren headed up the company while sharing profits with Casada and Smith.
Cothren chose to set up the firm in New Mexico, which allows anonymous filings. The use of an alias was deemed necessary as Cothren was forced to leave his post as chief of staff after a scandal that involved racist and sexist texts during Casada’s brief seven-month leadership of the House in 2019.
In addition, Smith used Phoenix for her personal political action committee and pushed for the company to be listed as one of the approved vendors for the House Republican Caucus ahead of the elections in 2020. That measure was approved despite disagreement among GOP Caucus members.
Smith’s criminal sentencing has been deferred several times over the past few years in order for her to participate fully in the trials against her two former criminal partners.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
You just can’t make this stuff up. I wonder who else is doing this? These people have ruined their lives over $50,000. Only the Lord knows what will happen to them in eternity for $50,000