TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Kate Prince on May 11, 2021

FBI agents conducted interviews with state lawmakers throughout the 2021 legislative session as part of their probe believed to be focused on political vendor Phoenix Solutions, TNJ: On the Hill reports. The interviews were with lawmakers who had political consulting work with former House Speaker Glen Casada, R-Franklin, and Rep. Robin Smith, R-Hixson, who both had their homes and offices raided by the FBI in January. Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville, spoke with agents as recently as the last day of session, telling the Times Free Press that his interview “centered around” Casada and Smith and a survey he did with Phoenix Solutions. Several lawmakers have said Smith was a vocal advocate for Phoenix, but this is the first time Casada has been publicly linked to the group. Both have declined to say whether they have any ownership stake in the business. Zachary said he didn’t feel he provided any new information to agents “because Glen never pressured me, he didn’t hound me” to use the firm.