GOP Members Ask for Leniency In Sentencing Of Former Senator Kelsey
Image Credit: Brian Kelsey / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
Tennessee Lt. Governor Randy McNally is requesting that a federal judge consider the young family and life circumstances of former State Senator Brian Kelsey when determining the former lawmaker’s sentence regarding a federal campaign finance conspiracy.
Kelsey, 45, pleaded guilty to two campaign finance conspiracy charges in November, for illegally shifting “soft money” from his state campaign to his federal campaign during his unsuccessful 2016 bid for Congress. Kelsey maintained his innocence but changed his plea after co-defendant Josh Smith pleaded guilty. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April.
Kelsey’s guilty plea prevents him from holding state office; therefore; he did not run for re-election last year after 18 years in the legislature.
If given the maximum penalty, Kelsey could be in prison for up to five years, with three years probation, and a fine of up to $250,000 on each charge.
McNally is one of several people to send letters to Judge Waverly Crenshaw for consideration before sentencing. McNally said he appreciated Kelsey’s willingness to take responsibility and accept punishment.
In a letter dated Jan. 19, McNally asks Crenshaw to consider Kelsey’s circumstances.
“Brian has accepted responsibility and admitted his guilt,” McNally writes. “His political career is over and his law license has been suspended, threatening his ability to earn a living. His father is sick and he is now the father of three young children of his own.”
Kelsey and his wife Amanda have three children, a daughter who is 3 and twin boys who are 6 months old. Kelsey’s father, Robert Kelsey of Collierville, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer earlier this month.
The Tennessee Supreme Court suspended Kelsey’s license to practice law in Tennessee after his guilty plea. The court referred Kelsey’s case to the state Board of Professional Responsibility, which will determine if he can practice law again in Tennessee.
McNally describes Kelsey as a colleague and friend. He appointed Kelsey to chair the Senate Education Committee because of his “commitment to helping young people access the educational tools they need to succeed in life.”
Kelsey stepped down as chairman soon after being indicted.
Two others have submitted letters weighing in on Kelsey’s sentencing.
GOP State Executive Committeewoman Peggy Larkin requests that Crenshaw be lenient in sentencing, citing Kelsey as “beyond impeccable.”
“I believe that Brian and his family have suffered enough already and will be a greater benefit to society serving outside of prison,” Larkin writes.
Dewey Gordon Bryan, a Germantown resident in Kelsey’s Senate District 31, requested that Crenshaw “impose the maximum penalties available on each count.”
“Brian Kelsey is not an innocent victim. He is (was) a lawyer. He used his law education and experience to scheme to break laws he was sworn to uphold,” Bryan writes. “He was so guilty he was forced to negotiate a plea deal, not having the nerve or confidence to take the risk of ‘…being cleared at trial.’”
Bryan noted that no part of Kelsey’s plea agreement showed any sign of remorse or a hint of an apology to his constituents.
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
How sad. Brian Kelsey was a bright conservative stalwart in the State Senate and someone I enthusiastically supported financially in a number of elections including that fiasco of a congressional race that was the setting for his current problem. I pray Brian is able to resume his law career after this unfortunate setback.
Me too. He was screwed on all ends by the current regime. They suspended his law license, which is his means of supporting his family. I am against law licensure because of the tyrannically nature of the ABA and how Tennessee Supreme Court and its current structure will never be uncompromised on making such decisions. It is weird how the Supreme Court appoints are AG as well. The needs to be a Governor appointment or vote.
Tennessee “Republican” message is clear: If you step out of line [with them], you will get fed time!
I pray that he gets mercy and probation.
I agree with you Stuart Anderson. I worked some on his last campaign and think he deserves some grace in this case. It’s bad enough that he may have lost his law license and the consequences of that with a family to raise. So sad.