A federal judge in Nashville reduced former Rep. Robin Smith’s eight‑month prison sentence to one year of probation after she cooperated and testified in the corruption trial of ex‑House Speaker Glen Casada and aide Cade Cothren, who were later pardoned by President Trump. Prosecutors say the three used a shell company, Phoenix Solutions, to funnel roughly $52,000 in state funds in 2020. Smith pleaded guilty to honest‑services wire fraud, has paid nearly $30,000 in restitution and is seeking a presidential pardon. The judge’s full reasoning for the sentence change was filed under seal.
Judge Converts Former Tennessee Lawmaker’s Prison Term To Probation After She Testified in Case Where Trump Pardoned Ex‑Speaker and Aide
FILE - Former state Rep. Robin Smith arrives at the federal courthouse April 29, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A federal judge on Monday replaced an eight‑month prison sentence for former Tennessee state Rep. Robin Smith with one year of supervised probation after she cooperated and testified in a public‑corruption trial that led to convictions of former House Speaker Glen Casada and his onetime aide, Cade Cothren.
What the Judge Did
U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson in Nashville reduced Smith’s sentence to probation, noting the unusual circumstances in which co‑defendants who were judged to be similarly culpable later received presidential pardons. The judge’s written explanation for the change was filed under seal.
Background of the Case
Prosecutors said Casada, Cothren and Smith worked together to create a shell operation called Phoenix Solutions. The arrangement allegedly used the appearance of a third party, "Matthew Phoenix," to win approximately $52,000 in state funds in 2020 from a program legislators use to send mailings to constituents. An IRS form later bore a "Matthew Phoenix" signature, prosecutors said, and they told jurors the plan was intended to leverage state‑funded work into larger private contracts.
Cooperation, Convictions and Pardons
Smith pleaded guilty to one count of honest‑services wire fraud and cut a cooperation deal with prosecutors, testifying at the trial that exposed the scheme. A jury convicted Casada and Cothren on charges that included use of a fictitious name to carry out fraud, honest‑services wire fraud and money laundering. In September, a judge sentenced Casada to three years in prison and Cothren to 2½ years.
About two weeks after Smith’s sentencing in late October, President Donald Trump issued pardons for Casada and Cothren, removing their potential prison terms — a development Smith’s lawyers and prosecutors cited when urging that Smith not be the only one required to serve time.
Aftermath and Next Steps
Smith’s attorneys argued that it would be a "manifest injustice" for their client alone to serve prison time for a scheme involving multiple players, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office supported converting her sentence to probation in these narrow circumstances. Smith has paid nearly $30,000 in restitution and said she is seeking a presidential pardon that her lawyer says would resolve the probation requirement and allow her to recoup those payments.
"I have been overwhelmed with kind words, prayers, and continued support of those whose friendships are literal treasures," Smith said in a statement. "God’s goodness has been through people. Just amazing!"
Smith, a former county and state GOP leader, was elected to the Tennessee House in 2018 and resigned her seat in early 2022 as part of her plea agreement.
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