Image: A state ethics group has asked the Williamson County District Attorney’s office to investigate a PAC formed by former legislative staffer Cade Cothren. Image Credit: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout
By Sam Stockard [The Tennessee Lookout -CC BY-NC-ND 4.0] –
Tennessee’s campaign finance watchdog group has requested an investigation into a former state staffer’s secret political action committee to determine whether it involved criminal activity.
Registry of Election Finance Chairman Tom Lawless confirmed the agency formally asked the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office to reactivate a 2020 request for a probe of Cade Cothren, a former aide to one-time House Speaker Glen Casada, and the Faith Family Freedom Fund PAC. The investigation is expected to look at Casada’s possible involvement as well.
Bill Young, executive director of the Bureau of Ethics and Election Finance, said he understands the DA’s Office, headed by Stacey Edmonson, is reviewing the request, which was made in a conference call.
Lawless previously told the Lookout that the investigation should commence now that a trial of Casada and Cothren is complete. They were convicted on nearly 20 charges each in connection with a kickback conspiracy scheme. Sentencing is set for Sept. 12 in federal court.
“The actions need to be open to the public because transparency is absolutely essential,” Lawless said.
The registry board subpoenaed Cothren in January 2022 in connection with an investigation into the Faith Family Freedom Fund PAC, which was accused of illegal coordination with the campaign of state Rep. Todd Warner in his race against incumbent Republican Rep. Rick Tillis, a political foe of Casada. Warner, whose home and office were raided by FBI agents the same day they hit Casada, Cothren and now-former Rep. Robin Smith in January 2021, defeated Tillis in the 2020 Republican primary. Cothren refused to comply with the subpoena.
The registry’s decision to subpoena Cothren, Casada and several other people came after a former girlfriend of Cothren’s testified that she formed the political action committee at his request so he could run it secretly. She said Cothren, whom she thought she loved at the time, also told her to ignore calls from the registry.
