Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
On Tuesday afternoon, former State Senator Brian Kelsey pleaded guilty to two federal charges of campaign finance fraud. He had previously said he was “totally innocent” and claimed the charges against him were a “political witch hunt”.
Kelsey, 44, was charged in October 2021 on five counts alleging a campaign finance scheme during his 2016 failed bid for Congress. Joshua Smith, who owns The Standard club in Nashville, was also indicted.
According to the indictment, Smith and Kelsey were in charge of the movement of $91,000 in “soft money”, most of which came from Kelsey’s state campaign account. It was moved to the American Conservative Union, which then spent $80,000 in independent expenditures supporting Kelsey’s bid.
Both had previously pleaded “not guilty” to all counts and a trial had been set for January 2023. Kelsey continued to maintain his innocence, claiming the charges to be a “political witch hunt” saying “the Biden Administration is trying to take me out because I’m conservative.” He continued to say he “welcomed any investigation”.
Smith, however, pleaded guilty to one charge of funneling “soft money” to Kelsey’s Congressional campaign. He agreed to “cooperate fully and truthfully” with prosecutors. Shortly after, Kelsey requested a hearing to alter his previous “not guilty” plea.
On Tuesday afternoon, his plea was changed from not guilty to guilt on two counts: conspiracy to defraud the Federal Election Commission and accepting excessive campaign contributions.
Kelsey appeared before Judge Waverly Crenshaw and answered the following questions under oath:
“How do you plead on counts one and five?”, to which he replied, “Guilty, your honor.”
“Did you engage in the behavior attributed to you?” He answered, “Yes, your honor.”
Crenshaw then asked, “You plead this way because of your firm and definite opinion that the best thing for Brian Kelsey is to plead guilty to counts 1 and 5?”
Kelsey will face up to five years in federal prison along with three years of supervised release for each charge. He will also be fined up to $250,000 for each charge.
Currently, a sentencing hearing is scheduled to occur in June 2023, but Kelsey is requesting that it be moved up.
Kelsey left the courthouse with his attorneys without making a statement.
Lt. Governor Randy McNally said he appreciated Kelsey’s willingness to take responsibility.
“Brian Kelsey has always been a friend and served the Senate well,” McNally said in a statement. “I appreciate his willingness to take responsibility and accept punishment. I will be keeping he and his family in my prayers as he faces the consequences of his actions.”
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
