According to a statement released last week by her attorneys, former State Representative Robin Smith is seeking a full pardon from President Donald Trump after she was sentenced to eight months in prison for her role in a fraud ring involving mail advertising at the Tennessee General Assembly, suggesting the eight-month sentence does not align with her early cooperation with prosecutors.
Smith was sentenced on October 24 to eight months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud as part of a plea deal that saw her provide information and testimony against former House Speaker Glen Casada and Cade Cothren for their role in the plan to obtain easy work for the Tennessee General Assembly while using a company created by Cothren using a fake identity.
Her attorneys at the Rose Firm wrote in an October 27 post to X that they were “disappointed” by the eight-month sentence.
“Robin admitted her mistakes very early in the process, cooperated with the government in every way (as even the government admitted), and Robin was still sentenced to almost a year in federal prison,” the attorneys wrote in a statement. “Robin deserves a full Presidential pardon.”
New statement on Robin Smith following last week's sentencing:
We were certainly disappointed with the sentence on Friday. Robin admitted her mistakes very early in the process, cooperated with the government in every way (as even the government admitted), and Robin was still… pic.twitter.com/KPmvk2rQif
— RoseFirm, PLLC (@RoseLawOffices) October 27, 2025
The attorneys wrote that Smith is convinced the case against her, Casada, and Cothren, was politically motivated.
“Robin is adamant that she would not have been prosecuted but for her political beliefs,” wrote the attorneys. “Lawfare must be stopped once and for all. The only justice for Robin Smith is a full Presidential pardon.”
This is not the first time pardons have been floated in the case against Casada, Cothren, and Smith.
Country music artist and political pundit John Rich publicly lobbied for Trump to pardon Cothren in May, though his suggestion prompted a rebuke from Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, the Republican mayor who rose to fame as the professional wrestler Kane.
“It is unfathomable to me that any Republican would push for pardons for Casada or Cothren,” wrote Jacobs in a post to X. “They were accused of a crime, given a fair trial, and convicted. It was not political lawfare like what [Trump] endured. Implying such is an insult to him and the rule of law.”
It is unfathomable to me that any Republican would push for pardons for Casada or Cothren. They were accused of a crime, given a fair trial, and convicted. It was not political lawfare like what @realDonaldTrump endured. Implying such is an insult to him and the rule of law. https://t.co/0o88s2XRDP
— Glenn Jacobs (@GlennJacobsTN) May 22, 2025
The Tennessee House Republican Caucus previously expressed their approval when Casada and Cothren were convicted in May.
“Today’s verdict reaffirms the principle that public office is a sacred trust, not a license for personal gain or abuse of power,” wrote the caucus. After expressing gratitude to House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) for his leadership, the Republicans also thanked, “the investigators, prosecutors, and jurors whose diligent efforts ensured that those who betrayed the public trust were brought to justice.”
Casada was sentenced in September to three years in prison and one year of supervised release, and to pay a $30,000 fine. Cothren was sentenced to 30 months in prison, one year of supervised release, and to pay fines totaling about $37,000.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
