Former Tennessee Speaker Casada arrested in corruption probe

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s former House Speaker Glen Casada and his top aide have been arrested on federal charges including bribery, kickbacks and conspiracy to commit money laundering with federal funds.

The 20-count indictment comes months after a Republican lawmaker abruptly resigned when faced with federal wire fraud charges involving Casada. FBI agents arrested Casada and his former Chief of Staff Cade Cothren at their homes Tuesday morning.

The charging document alleges Casada and Cothren exploited their positions of power by working with another unnamed lawmaker to funnel money to themselves using a political consulting firm that concealed their involvement.

(IMAGE: Bristol Broadcasting Co News Archive)