Trump pardons former lawmaker convicted in corruption probe

The White House confirmed President Trump pardoned former Tennessee state House Speaker Glen Casada (R) and his former chief of staff Cade Cothren, who had both been previously convicted of corruption charges. 

“The Biden Department of Justice significantly over-prosecuted these individuals for a minor issue involving constituent mailers — which were billed at competitive prices, never received a complaint from legislators, and resulted in a net profit loss of less than $5,000,” a White House official told The Hill. 

“The Biden DOJ responded with an armed raid, perp walk and suggested sentences exceeding 10 years – penalties normally reserved for multimillion dollar fraudsters,” the official added. 

Casada and Cothren were sentenced to three years and two and a half years in prison, respectively, in September. The pair had been accused of leading a scheme to get taxpayer-funded mail business from other state lawmakers.

The former lawmaker was found guilty of 17 charges in the public corruption case, while Cothren was found guilty of all 19 charges in the trial that began in April. 

Casada resigned in 2019 after a no-confidence vote by fellow Tennessee Republicans. 

Trump has pardoned a number of politicians facing corruption scandals. Earlier this year, he separately pardoned former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland (R), former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) and former Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.).