SPEAKER CASADA, A TIMELINE: 2012-2019

Timeline ofĀ Some of TennesseeĀ Speaker ofĀ TheĀ HouseĀ of Representatives GlenĀ Casada’sĀ ActionsĀ and Statements

FROM 2012-2019

Compiled by Tina Cahalan Jones

Ā 

2003Ā 

• Casada elected to TN House of Representative

2009

• Casada a plaintiff inĀ failedĀ ā€œbirtherā€ lawsuitĀ against President Obama

2012

• Jeremy Durham elected,Ā Casada mentors him
• Josh Smith, owner of the Standard Club (popular with lawmakers)Ā starts a PAC

2013

• Jeremy Durham involved inĀ prescription drug fraud probeĀ in Williamson Co;Ā Glenn FunkĀ involved as defense counsel
• Lawmakers wereĀ using $3k donationsĀ from the Standard PAC to pay their $3k dues to the Standard

2014

• February 2014,Ā Casada backed legislation cutting off welfare recipients who test positive for drugs, saying ā€œIf taxpayers are going to support you there are certain criteria you need to adhere to.ā€
• FebruaryĀ 2014Ā in a text conversation Casada Chief Of Staff Cade Cothren discussed an intern’s attractive appearance.Ā ā€œI’mĀ gonnaĀ keep hitting on her just to see what happens.ā€
• Durham hadĀ sex in his legislative officeĀ w/20-year-old college student
• Grand Jury could not come toĀ a ā€œtrue billā€ decisionĀ on Durham and did not indict re drug charges
• Dec 2014 Durham narrowly electedĀ House whipĀ – specifically thanked Casada ā€œfor hisĀ vocal supportā€:Ā CasadaĀ ā€œThis is a perfect role for Representative Durham

2015Ā 

• Cothren, while working as spokesman for House Republican Caucus – which Casada chaired – sends text saying “black people are idiots.” (CASADA: “If I received that, I don’t remember. IfĀ I had seen it, you would have seen another text coming from me saying ‘this has to stop’ because I know me. I know I would have responded that way if I had seen that text.”)
• Cothren texted: “just did a gram of cocaine in my office.” At 10:38 a.m. on a work day
• April 2015Ā Cothren via text solicited oral sex and nude photos from an intern. He also asked her whether she was wearing underwear and attempted to pivot the topic of a conversation to orgasms.
• May 2015Ā Durham engaged in illegal campaign finance transactions
• Summer 2015 Casada becomes aware of sexual harassment allegations against Durham but takes no action
• December 2015 Casada says he didn’t think the two allegationsĀ [drugs and sexual harassment]Ā ā€œshould or do disqualify him [Durham] from leadershipā€; said he considered the drug abuse allegations were ā€œcase closedā€; Cade Cothren involved in messaging

2016Ā 

• About Jan 5,Ā CasadaĀ and other GOP leadershipĀ stafferĀ told of new sexual harassment allegations against Durham
• Jan 12 Republican Caucus met to decide whether to strip Durham of leadership position – debate got hung up in procedural wrangling and vote to proceed on discussion failed
• Jan 13Ā Republicans introduced a billĀ placing responsibility for legal feesĀ onĀ plaintiffs who lose sexual harassment claims against state and local gov’t employees – House Bill 1679
• JanĀ 24Ā Tennessean investigation found Durham acted inappropriately towards 22 womenĀ puts the pressure on Durham to resign
• Jan 24th DurhamĀ resigned from leadership positionĀ as House Majority Whip, Casada stood by him until the very end when he finally joined calls for his resignation saying ā€œit was the mature thing to doā€ but not calling for ouster from House
• Jan 27 Durham left theĀ Caucus voluntarilyĀ /Ā Casada: ā€œIf the rumors about Durham are true then he needs to focus on his family and receiving the help that he needs.ā€ – but no call for resignationĀ from the legislature, asĀ Speaker Harwell and other members of the GOP were doing
• Jan 28 Casada: ā€œHave we not all heard rumors? . . .Not one of them had proof or evidence. . . ā€œSays he informed the victims of the legislative sexual harassment policy . . . /Ā confirmed he had heard of rumors for monthsĀ – but evidently did nothing
• MarchĀ 2Ā HB 1679Ā shift inĀ economic burden to some victims of sexual harassmentĀ passed House, Casada and DurhamĀ voted ā€œyesā€; effective June 1
• Early April state attorney generalĀ issued a report midway through his investigation about Durham calling him a ā€œcontinuing riskā€ to women; then speaker Harwell, the Governor, and other GOP leadersĀ again called for his resignationĀ from the legislatureĀ / CasadaĀ did not join them
• April 21 Despite not joining calls for Durham’s resignation, Casada didĀ sign onto a letterĀ calling for the firing of a high-ranking GOP official b/c his wife was working as a consultant challenging GOPĀ incumbents
• May 2016Ā Cothren sent text message to Casada, but he did not respond- ā€œI have many miles and many girls to go before I sleepā€
• May 2016Ā despite Durham no longer being in the caucus and being under severe scrutiny Casada attended a fundraiser for him in Franklin
• Casada saidĀ because Durham has denied theĀ allegationsĀ he is willing to support him, ā€œIf there is direct evidence refuting his words to me, that would change everything.ā€
• Campaign Finance Allegations. June 2016 Allegations re Durham campaign finance problems come to light –Ā Casada saysĀ ā€œif trueā€ Durham should resignĀ butĀ distinguishes between them and the sexual harassment allegations saying, ā€œThis [the campaign finance allegations] is empirical, this is measurable, it’s is his own words indicting him where the harassment charges were he said this and she said thisā€Ā 
• Casada admits he didn’t lose faith in Durham until the allegations turned financial:Ā ā€œWhen you invest a lot in somebody you hope against hope that maybe it wasĀ incorrectĀ and I knew it wasn’t. At that point I knew it was over.ā€
• His financials showed thatĀ Durham paid MichaelĀ Lofti’s consulting firmĀ $51,000 (while he was Andy Holt’s Legislative Aide – $9k was later refunded) and paid Andy Holt $500 for ā€œoffice suppliesā€
• July 2016Ā House committee re Durham’s sexual harassment – recommended leaving it up to the voters
• July 2016 Attorney General report about Durham – recommended expulsion –Ā Casada: ā€œ[Durham] lied to me” – continued to prior knowledge of Durham’s behavior, called Durham’s behavior ā€œan isolated incidentā€
• July 2016Ā Cothren texted a picture of a female friend pole dancing to Casada. / Casada responded, “Nice pics.” / Cothren: “Hands to yourself :)ā€/ Casada: “Can I just touch?” / Cothren: “Lol okay maybe just once.ā€/ Casada: “Lol.”
• Late July 2016Ā – Casada tries toĀ tie a voteĀ on expelling Durham to a vote on expelling a Democratic lawmaker who was facing charges for tax evasion
• AugustĀ – Cothren texted Casada about a sexual encounter he had with a woman, ā€œJust soĀ y’allĀ know, I did f—k (woman) in the bathroom at party fowl . . . Will send pictures later,ā€ /Ā Casada’sĀ responded: ā€œOnly gone for 60 seconds,ā€ adding, ā€œR u a minute man???;) / Cothren – ā€œYes, I take after you. Like father like son,ā€ / Casada – ā€œLolol! If I’m happy, then all is good!!!!!ā€Ā 
• August 4Ā PrimaryĀ Election held – Durham lostĀ to Sam Whitson
• Aug 16Ā LoftiĀ fired for political activity
• Beth HarwellĀ said his political consulting was “in conflict with his service in the legislature.”
• During that year (by September), Cothren promoted to press secretary for the Tennessee House Republican Caucus.
• SeptemberĀ Federal Election officials investigating Durham
• September 13Ā Durham expelled
• Sometime in the yearĀ 2016 (as all the above was happening)
• Casada re: CothrenĀ ā€Those girls aren’t safe!!! Shepard? He’s the wolf!!!”Ā 
• Text exchangeĀ between Casada and Cothren in which Cothren responded with a “black people” meme – Casada did not rebuke him and claims he never received the text
• Cothren made sexual advancesĀ toward a female lobbyist about how he would like to sleep with older women.

Ā 

2017

• February 7Ā Rep Lovell engaged in sexual harassment
oĀ In the wake of Durham, the House Ethics Committee and other legislators swing quickly into action – reporting him and investigating
oĀ House GOP Caucus Chair Williams questioned Lovell and told him if the allegations wereĀ trueĀ he should resign, and he does ultimately resign
oĀ By contrast, Majority Leader Casada ā€œchatted with him on the House floor or at a legislative reception that evening. Casada said he did not ask Lovell to resign or even discuss the allegations. Instead they made small talk.ā€
• March 2017Ā Casada tried toĀ amend a bill introduced by David ByrdĀ (increasing per diem payment for Reps) in such a way that it would reverse previous policy to allow reimbursement for legislators’ hotels even if they lived nearby; protestors brought him sleeping bags; some claimed it was because he was going through a divorce and had no place to stay
• Early April 2017 – the Tennessean reported re membership in the Standard Club owned by Josh Smith, re the Standard’s PAC being used to fund activities, food,Ā etcĀ for lawmakers including Casada
oĀ Since 2013, lawmakers were paying their $3k membership dues to the Standard after receiving $3k donations from the Standard’s PAC [possible impermissible gift]
oĀ Casada commented: ā€œI can’t speak on specifics, but I contend that’s just coincidental.ā€
• May 2017Ā – Casada objected to an honorary resolution for Kay West (music journalist) b/c she once worked as a receptionist at Penthouse – a magazine which he said ā€œhas a tendency to make women, uh, objectsā€
• June 2017Ā complaint filed with the Federal Election CommissionĀ targetsĀ Rep. Kelsey but also alleges that Casada ā€œviolated federal campaign finance laws.ā€
oĀ Casada: ā€œIt is not uncommon for allies to support each other in their political endeavors.ā€ He called the claims ā€œabsurd.ā€
• July 2017Ā Casada’sĀ name floated for Speaker position
• Early OctoberĀ Casada met with the FBI regarding Durham
oĀ Casada said the agents asked him if he knew anything about Durham receiving any favors or money in exchange for sponsoring legislation. ā€œI said I do not know anything about that.ā€ He was specifically questioned about any ā€œquid pro quo.ā€

Ā 

2018

• Feb 2018Ā For the first time since he was elected in 2002, Casada faced a challenger in the GOP Primary – African American woman Rae Shawn Sanchez
• Feb 2018Ā One of Byrd’s accusers secretly recorded a conversation with him.
oĀ Byrd: “I wish I had a do-over, because I promise you I would have corrected that and that would’ve never happened. . . .I’veĀ lived with that …You don’t know how hard it has been for me.ā€Ā 
• March 5Ā ā€œThe Tennessee House Republican Caucus recalled a resolution … after its resolution Monday after it unwittingly voted to honorā€ an AfricanĀ American female activist. ā€œThe House, following time-worn tradition, unanimously voted for and co-sponsored the resolution. . . apparently without giving the resolutions a close read. Then Monday, Majority Leader Glen Casada successful motioned to recall the resolution for a revote . . . Repeating claims Casada made [Cade] Cothren [spokesman for the House Republicans] said caucus members objected to language in the resolution supportive of Black Lives Matter . . . ā€œand references to the activist’s opposition to the Confederate monument in Memphis. ā€œCothren also repeatedĀ Casada’sĀ controversial claim that some BLM activists had called for the ā€˜murder’ of police officers. ā€˜It had nothing to do with racism whatsoever.’ 
• March 27Ā story breaks that 3 women accused Byrd of assaultĀ in WSMV report
oĀ Byrd didn’t deny, said he couldn’t recall
oĀ Speaker Harwell and other GOP leaders immediately called for his resignationĀ 
oĀ Casada said he would reserve his opinion until he could talk to Byrd personally; he was ā€œdisappointed by the representative’s statementā€; ā€œI just want to look him in the eye, man to man.ā€
• April 4Ā Casada statement
oĀ Intended to ā€œfollow upā€ with Byrd
oĀ Would not join call for resignation (b/c allegations were related to activities outside of the legislature)
oĀ ā€œTheĀ David Byrd I know is not the David Byrd being described in these allegations. However, they are serious claims and these women have a right to be heard. David Byrd also has that same right for his side of the story.” ā€œVoters will have opportunity to decide.ā€
• April 18 – Casada’sĀ primary opponent disqualified at the 11thĀ hour by the state GOP party officials
• June 5 – Casada confirms plans to get actively involved in open GOP primary contests throughout the state – clearly a ploy to garner votes for the Speaker job
oĀ Using his CAS-PAC he planned to hire 13 staffers and offer assistance to GOP candidates; making contributions budgeted to total $208k
oĀ Another articleĀ stated that he used 12 ā€œteam captainsā€ – other legislators – to help him garner votes for the Speaker job
• July – Casada’sĀ CAS-PAC sent out mailers attacking one Republican candidate in a primary race against another Republican in District 73 (Jackson-Madison Co)
oĀ According to the person benefitting from the attack he did not condone nor solicit the mailers
oĀ The attacked candidateĀ believed he was targeted b/c (if elected) he was likely to vote forĀ Casada’sĀ opponent in Speaker race
• Sept 12Ā Casada announced run for Speaker
• Sept 2018Ā CAS PAC issued attack ads discrediting Byrd’s accusers, including aĀ videoĀ that likenedĀ Byrd to President Donald Trump and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, saying the men hadĀ been attacked by “unhinged liberals.” Ā MichaelĀ LoftiĀ worked on the ads;Ā LoftiĀ also as part of his job for CAS-PAC ran Facebook page, the Alliance for Tennessee Families, that was working to get Rep. David Byrd re-elected.
oĀ LotfiĀ has pushed back, arguing that the Facebook ad’s reference to the accusers’ “lies” was generic language that was also used in other races. “The ad you referenced absolutely makes no mention of the women who accused Byrd, and never intended to.” Women involved in opposing Byrd, however, say that – in the context of his race and given the targeting of his district – the implication was clear.
• November – Casada and Byrd handily re-elected in home districts
• November 20Ā Casada elected Speaker
oĀ Several freshman lawmakers who he had helped get elected backed his nomination
oĀ Said at press conference he would not help lawmakers get re-elected if they were involved in ā€œsome kind of criminal activity.ā€
oĀ Casada disputed rumors that he planned to clean house among employees at the Legislature

Ā 

2019Ā 

• About Jan 8-Ā Casada’sĀ budget for the legislatureĀ grows dramatically, including $6m for ā€œlegislative operationsā€ plus more funds for new personnel costs
oĀ The Legislative Administration Office has confirmed:
ā–ŖĀ that the House Speaker, Lieutenant Governor and the Senate and House Chief Clerks are now able to listen to and watch the rooms where committee meetings are occurring.Ā 
ā–ŖĀ AĀ white noise system was installed inĀ the ceilings of the hallways inside andĀ outsideĀ Casada’sĀ office.Ā 
ā–ŖĀ Cothren (Casada’sĀ chief of staff) received a $130k raise – making him higher paid than the Governor’s chief of staff and most of theĀ State’s Department Commissioners
• Potentially bundled in these personnel costs are theĀ hiring of MichaelĀ LoftiĀ for $48k/year – his Financial disclosures show that in 2018 his consulting firm Red Ivory Strategies was paid $123,300 from CAS-PAC
• Recall: part of his job for CAS-PAC in 2018 was running a Facebook page working to get Rep. DavidĀ Byrd re-elected and discrediting his accusers; also, inĀ August 2016, then Speaker Harwell firedĀ LoftiĀ from working for the House b/c she feltĀ his political consulting was “in conflict with his service in the legislature.”
• Also possibly part of these increased costs – Rep.Ā FaisonĀ (R )Ā allegesĀ the hiring ofĀ 50% morelegislative analysts this yearĀ who were ā€œresearching what was being saidā€ inside hallways of the legislature.
ā€¢Ā ā€œat least two research analysts brought on this yearĀ have developed reputations among some members as hired busybodies tasked with keeping tabs on House members — particularly Republicans — and reporting information back to Cothren and Casada.ā€
•  

Ā 

• January 10Ā Casada appointed Rep Byrd to chair Education subcommitteeĀ despite abuse allegations – “It is an accusation, but we cannot make actions on accusations.”
oĀ “This happened long ago, so it’sĀ not within the House of Representative’s purview”Ā 
• Feb 19 Casada said, inĀ a video, referring to Byrd accusers, that if he had been rapedĀ he would have moved. ā€œI don’t think they’re lying. I think they’re believing something that’s not true.ā€Ā Casada was asked twice in the video if he knows what exactly Byrd was apologizing for, and both times he said he does not know.Ā 
oĀ Casada issued a statement onĀ Feb 20thattempting to clarify that he had meant re: the rape comment – ā€œyou should absolutely move to hold those involved fully accountableā€
oĀ Also, in video Casada said re: the victims — ā€œThey came into my office and spoke, .Ā .[I] ā€œlistened to the victims.ā€ – whichĀ was not true.
oĀ In response to being corrected on this pointĀ Cothren said: ā€œOnce again the media is letting a liberal political activist drive their agenda instead of sticking to the facts. Speaker Casada has talked to and met with dozens of Tennesseans who have expressed their view on this matter over the last several months.” Cothren said he was “not aware of him (Casada) meeting with these specific women.” Asked if Casada lied about meeting with Byrd’s accusers, Cothren said, “No. He was referring to the many, many people he has talked to about this.”Ā 
• Feb 20Ā reporter escorted out ofĀ Casada’sĀ office by State Troopers after seeking comment on Byrd allegations – Ā atĀ Casada’sĀ order
• Feb 21Ā Justin Jones, an African American activist, is lied to by Cothren regarding Jones’ attempts to get a meeting with Casada Ā https://youtu.be/mnJkGm6_TG8
• Feb 23Ā Casada’sĀ handling of the Byrd matter comes under sharp criticism
• Feb 24 Casada wrote anĀ opEdĀ in The Tennessean: ā€œIntegrity and consistency matter with sexual misconduct allegationsā€ – he falsely claimed that an ā€œanonymous websiteā€ had been the source of a false claim by the Tennessean that he said that rape victims should ā€œjust moveā€
oĀ He alsoĀ accuratelyĀ saidĀ (but not in the way he meant): ā€œI’ve seenĀ first handĀ how political operatives . . . will readily, happily and irresponsibly betray actual victims of sexual misconduct as a means to an end to achieve their agenda.ā€
• Feb 25 Jones emails Casada seeking an appointmentĀ to talkĀ 
• Late Feb – a cup was thrown ontoĀ Casada’sĀ elevator — activist Justin Jones was arrested for assault/released on bond – ordered to have no contact w/ Casada
• Feb 26Ā 3 women accusing Byrd push back onĀ Casada’sĀ claim that he met with them to discuss allegations
• Feb 26Ā demonstrators removed from Byrd’s hearing room atĀ Casada’sĀ order
oĀ Cothren said they were removed b/c they were ā€œdisrupting the legislative processā€
oĀ TrooperĀ said they were directed to do so because they were making some ā€œuncomfortableā€
oĀ Gov. Lee responds with statement that all voices should be heard
• Feb 28Ā Microphones of 2 lawmakersĀ shut offĀ when they attempted to question Casada from the floor re Byrd protestors. Ā 
• March 3 SpokesmanĀ for House GOP threatened to end press conference b/c reporters were asking Casada questions about sexual misconduct rather than his legislative agenda
oĀ Casada said: Your 1stĀ Amendment rights ā€œend at your nose.ā€
• March 3Ā Cothren forwardsĀ (altered?)Ā email from Jones to Funk claiming it is evidence of unauthorized contact
oĀ Same day, the DA’s office responds to Cothren questioning the date discrepancyĀ 
• March 4Ā Glenn Funk filed a motion to revoke Jones’ bond
• MarchĀ 5Ā Cothren asked to ā€œhold offā€ on filing motion – too late /Ā Casada said he “know nothing of that — nothing
• March 20Ā Gov. Lee meets w/one of the Byrd accusers– she thinks ā€œhe believed herā€
oĀ TheĀ next dayĀ Lee says he is ā€œprocessingā€ and weighing his options
• House Ethics CommitteeĀ members ask Casada to remove Byrd from chairmanship
• March 29Ā CasadaĀ asks Byrd to step downĀ from Chairmanship b/c he had become a ā€œdistractionā€ – not due to allegations that had come to light a year previous
oĀ ā€œFollowing discussions with members of the House and after careful consideration, I have formally asked Representative Byrd to step down from his position as Chairman of the House Education Administration Subcommittee. Representative Byrd agrees that this is the best path forward in ensuring the House of Representatives can focus on the issues that truly matter to all Tennesseans. This decision is based on input from members and to continue the orderly operations of the House. I thank Representative Byrd for agreeing to serve in this position, and I am confident this body will be even stronger moving forward,”Ā 
• May 2Ā End of session press conference – Casada claims ā€œthere’s something not right about that storyā€, claiming it was ā€œfake newsā€
• May 5Ā (Sunday)Ā NewsChannelĀ 5 informed Casada and Cothren that they had photos and videos from Cothren’s texts
• May 5Ā – In a secretly recorded phone call, Casada accused a former associate of being the source of racist text messages sent by Cothren. “What’s happened is there’s accusations that Cade has sent some inflammatory text messages. . . You haven’t released any personal text messages Cade would have sent you, have you? . . . It sounds like you might have…. I hate that you did that.ā€
• May 6Ā EarlyĀ MondayĀ morning – CothrenĀ confronted with past drug use and racist and sexist texts; admitted he sent ā€œsomeā€ of the texts
oĀ ā€œRegarding the texts in question, I readily admit that I sent some of them,ā€ Cothren said in a joint statement with Casada.
oĀ Later in the dayĀ Cothren said he ā€œcouldn’t rememberā€ if he sent them
• MayĀ 6Ā Casada appears on Phil Valentine radio show
oĀ Valentine: ā€œThe text messages – You’ve seen those. Are they real?ā€
oĀ Casada (despite knowing about the texts and their source) says this: ā€œYou know, I asked my chief of staff point blank: ā€˜Did you do this?’ He said, ā€˜Glen, you know me. You know my character’… Phil, I’ve worked with him for 10 years. I have never heard him make a derogatory, racist, or bigoted statement. … I am convinced in this environment that we live in, because we as conservatives are winning the intellectual battle, I’m convinced some liberal guy living with his mom and dad in their basement created this to frame my chief of staff… I can’t prove it,Ā but it’s the only thing that makesĀ sense. ..Ā . Ā I’m convinced this is a hatchet job by liberal activists.ā€
• May 6Ā newscast,Ā NewsChannelĀ 5 releases second batch of lewd texts, this time implicating Casada
• May 6Ā about 7 pm Cothren resignedĀ 
• May 7 Tuesday morningĀ Casada appoints Scott Gilmer as new Chief of Staff
oĀ Gilmer had been former Speaker Harwell’s chief of staff and Casada had kept him on in a different capacity, where he earned slightly less than Cothren
oĀ However, Gilmer andĀ Casada’sĀ relationship comes with some baggage – InĀ 2009, when he wasĀ Casada’sĀ aide, Gilmer entered a no contest plea to a misdemeanor charge for creating a fake political website and impersonating a Democratic lawmaker; Gilmer had been paid by Casada and another GOP lawmaker to provide consulting work around the same time the fake website was created. A restraining order was filed against Gilmer to have the website taken down. AĀ House Ethics complaintĀ was filed against Casada for his implications with Gilmer but that committee passed on hearing the complaint saying they ā€œweren’t the right bodyā€.
• May 7Ā Casada appeared on WWTN FMĀ radio
oĀ defended his lewd exchanges saying it was “locker room talk” that does not reflect his current views about women; no longer claiming texts were false
oĀ ā€œI’m embarrassed about that. In the last couple of years, I have come to realize … I can’t doĀ thisand it is not appropriate behavior. So, yes, I participated in locker room talk with two adult men that was not intended to go to anyone else, and I was wrong. In the last several years, that kind of talk has not entered and left my mouth.ā€
oĀ As for the racist text messageĀ sent to him, Casada said: ā€œIf I received that, I don’t remember . . .If I had seen it, you would have seen another text coming from me saying ‘this has to stop’ because I know me. I know I would have responded that way if I had seen that text.”
• May 7 – Black Caucus members call on TBI to investigate SpeakerĀ Casada’sĀ office, Cothren involvement in Jones e-mail
oĀ Nashville DA Glenn FunkĀ asked the state DA’s conference to appoint a special prosecutor, and the TBI said it will be working with that agency to figure out its next move.
• May 7, late in the day, the Tennessean reported that CasadaĀ 
oĀ Placed a white noise machine system inside and outside his legislative office,
oĀ allowed Cothren to eavesdrop on committee rooms, and
oĀ caused enough concern among some lawmakers to have at least threeĀ to have orĀ planĀ to have their offices checked for recording devices.
ā–ŖĀ Casada responded re: the bugging ā€œThese accusations are untrue and inaccurate.ā€ Later he said, “The notion that my office would bug someone else’s office is laughable and patently false.ā€
• May 8, Wednesday –Ā Calls for resignation begin
oĀ Phil Valentine calls forĀ Casada’sĀ resignation based on his lies
ā–ŖĀ ā€œI don’t appreciate the fact that he came on my show and lied to everybody out there . . . I can’t believe that he hasn’t resigned already. I think it’s time to go, time to move on.”
oĀ Jeremy Faison (R)Ā from East TN forcefully calls for him to step down from speaker position
oĀ State House, Speaker ProĀ TemĀ Bill Dunn, echoed Faison’s call.
oĀ State Rep Bob Freeman (D), Rep Sam Whitson,Ā etc
• May 8Ā Dems call for federal probe into eavesdropping
• May 8Ā House GOP Caucus Conference call
oĀ Ā 
oĀ afternoon Casada apologized and released an ā€œAction Planā€
• May 9 – Thursday –Ā the FBI opens an investigation in the controversial voucher plan vote
oĀ Specifically looking at whether campaign contributions were traded for votes
• MayĀ 9 Ā afternoonĀ Rep. Jason Zachary R said on Twitter he has formally requested that his caucus meet – wants to “discuss the direction moving forward in your House ofĀ Representatives”; said Rep. Sexton had already written the letter
oĀ Tennessee FirearmsĀ AssocĀ replies to Tweet calling forĀ Casada’sĀ removal
• May 9 eveningĀ – Governor Lee weighs in – if Casada worked for him, he would ask him to resign
• May 10Ā Friday –Ā Craig Northcutt, the DA for Coffee County, appointed special prosecutor to investigate emailĀ 
• May 10Ā Reports surface that Casada had hired MichaelĀ LoftiĀ to work for him, with apparently no real duties

Ā 

Ā 

Thanks for reading! We’re an independent, reader-supported site that depends entirely on you to help us keep holding our public officials accountable and “Yelling the Truth”, so please consider chipping in a $3, $5, or $10 monthly and we’ll keep telling the stories nobody else will:

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *