TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Kate Prince on Mar 25, 2022

Several lawmakers are set to testify in front of a grand jury on Monday morning amid an ongoing FBI investigation into a kickback scheme involving a political consulting firm, the Tennessean reports. Former Republican state Rep. Robin Smith earlier this month pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud for her involvement with Phoenix Solutions, a consulting firm with alleged ties to Rep. Glen Casada, R-Franklin, and his former chief of staff Cade Cothren. Federal subpoenas for House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, Rep. Bud Hulsey, R-Kingsport, and others suggest that investigators might also be looking into Right Way Counseling, a second consulting firm set up by Casada. At least one legislator said the subpoenas do not specify the subject of the investigation. A Tennessean analysis found that 13 Republican representatives and one political action committee spent around $20,948 with Right Way Consulting in 2019 and 2020.