Prosecutors say they may have new evidence against Cothren and former House Speaker Glen Casada
Glen Casada, Cade Cothren
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Federal prosecutors are hinting at a new criminal investigation involving Cade Cothren, the one-time chief of staff to former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada.
On Thursday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee asked a judge to reset the upcoming fraud and bribery trial for Casada and Cothren, saying that “on or about January 30, 2024, pursuant to a separate investigation, the government seized electronic devices belonging to defendant Cothren and others.”
“Those devices likely contain discoverable material as to defendant Cothren … and may contain discoverable material as to defendant Casada,” the motion reveals.
Because the devices may contain privileged communications between Cothren and his legal team, a separate “filter team will need to conduct a review of Cothren’s device and potentially other devices and withhold any privileged communications.”
As a result, prosecutors say, the case will not be ready for trial on March 5, as scheduled. They suggest a new date in April or May.
Casada and Cothren were indicted in August 2022, charged with conspiracy to commit theft from programs receiving federal funds; bribery and kickbacks concerning programs receiving federal funds; honest services wire fraud; and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
