NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Monday morning began with the news that defense attorneys would not call any witnesses in the federal corruption trial involving former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his former aide Cade Cothren.
As a result, closing arguments got underway for the public corruption scandal that involves 19 charges on the two.
Prosecution closing arguments
Blake Ellison for the prosecution argued the jury should find Casada and Cothren guilty on 19 counts of conspiracy, bribery, fraud and money laundering. They allege Cothren used a fake name, Matthew Phoenix, for their company, Phoenix Solutions, for mail services for Tennessee lawmakers.
The fake name was because Cothren and Casada were enveloped in a texting scandal, first uncovered by NewsChannel 5 Investigates.
In all, Phoenix Solutions obtained more than $52,000 in state tax money to make these mailers. "Had the FBI not shut this down, it would have made the conspirators a steady stream of easy money," Ellison said.
Ellison also claimed Casada — and former Rep. Robin Smith, who took a plea deal — got kickbacks for recruiting clients and pressuring state officials to approve their projects.
"No other mail vendor in the state had access like this," Ellison told the jury.
Defense closing arguments
Then it was Ed Yarbrough’s turn, who represents Casada. He said the government had too many holes in their case, calling it an "elephant that's not in this room, Cameron Sexton."
Current House Speaker Cameron Sexton was subpoenaed to testify, but never was called. Yarbrough said his testimony could have been key to the government’s case because he had the authority to approve or deny the mail work.
He also argued what the federal government calls bribes, they would call honest work for honest pay.
Cynthia Sherwood, an attorney for Cade Cothren, then gave her closing argument. She echoed Yarbrough's argument, that state representatives got their money's worth from Phoenix Solutions. "Did the state get exactly what it paid for? Yes it did," said Sherwood to the jury.
Sherwood also made an interesting analogy about Cothren using the fake name Matthew Phoenix. Sherwood compared that to an author using a pen name, saying the fake name isn't always a sign of a crime.
Sherwood also alleged that former Rep. Smith and former Speaker Casada took their "legislature cap off" when working on consulting business, reminding the jury that they often used private email accounts instead of their legislature account.
Prosecution rebuttal
John Taddei with the Department of Justice handled the prosecution's rebuttal. The prosecution gets to go last because they have the burden of proof when it comes to all of the evidence.
Taddei said Speaker Cameron Sexton was not called because he didn't have much to add and his decisions were largely handled by staffers instead of himself directly.
He also addressed a question of intent, raised by defense attorneys. Taddei told the jury Casada and Cothren did not have to know what they were doing was illegal at the time. They just had to have the intent to carry out the actions they're accused of doing, which Taddei argued is supported by the evidence they put on in this case.
Taddei also rejected the notion of honest work for honest pay. He says just because they did the work doesn't mean how they did it wasn't illegal. "Even drug cartels have legitimate business operations," Taddei told the jury. Taddei also drew the comparison of Walter White, the factious anti-hero in Breaking Bad, running a legitimate car wash business.
Taddei closed with these words, "Public servants and their employees is never a waste of time," he said. "Glen Casada and Cade Cothren are guilty."
What comes next
While all parties wrapped up closing arguments, Judge Eli Richardson did not have enough time to read the 80+ page jury instructions this evening, so they will take that up first thing Tuesday morning.
Then, the fate of Casada and Cothren will rest with the 6 men and 6 women on the jury.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email Chris.Davis@newschannel5.com.
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