Casada campaign funds go to food, trips
NASHVILLE — House Speaker Glen Casada spent thousands of dollars in campaign money to buy food and drinks, to pay for a political consultant who he hired as a state employee and to cover expenses on two trips that he used the state plane for, according to his latest disclosures. At the same time, Casada — who is set to resign next month — has not given any of his nearly $563,000 in campaign money at his disposal to his Republican colleagues and the state party.
The findings come from disclosures Casada filed this week for his personal campaign committee and CAS-PAC, his political action committee.
The campaign finance disclosures come as Casada’s days in leadership wind down after he faced scrutiny for sending sexually explicit and misogynistic text messages.
Casada’s reports also indicate he has not received one contribution since news reports about the text messages were published by The Tennessean and Newschannel 5.
Casada did not respond to several questions, but said in a statement: “Expenditures from my campaign and PAC accounts, which were made legally and
in furtherance of office, are disclosed in full and open to the public for review.”
Political consultants
Casada paid nearly $13,800 to Red Ivory Strategies, a political consulting firm owned by Michael Lotfi.
Until mid-may, Lotfi worked as a state employee who was hired by Casada at the start of the legislative session. Lotfi’s hiring drew scrutiny because Casada gave him an alternative workplace option that allowed him to work remotely. The arrangement was unique and led some to question whether Lotfi was being paid for a noshow job.
Lotfi has denied the claim, saying the fact his company was paid by Casada for the advertisements should allay any concerns that he was doing political work while employed by the state.
CAS-PAC made five payments totaling $10,500 to Red Ivory Strategies between February and March for advertising. Two other payments were made by Casada’s regular campaign committee.
Aside from Red Ivory Strategies, Casada made payments to two other companies that provide political services in recent months. The speaker paid Right Way Marketing, a Johnson City-based company owned by Reps. Timothy and Matthew Hill $250 on April 1.
On March 14, Casada also spent $250 on NJP Strategies, a Kingsport-based company that employs a legislative employee as its “chief strategist.”
Using campaign money while traveling on state plane
Since becoming speaker in January, Casada spent nearly $7,900 in taxpayer funds to cover the cost of 10 flights he took on a state-owned airplane.
The flights, first reported by The Tennessean, included round trips to Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis and Fort Campbell.
During a Feb. 22 trip to Knoxville, the speaker spent roughly $947 at Old City Wine Bar for food and drinks. The next day, Casada’s disclosures indicate he spent $183 at an area Hilton hotel. The trip was Casada’s only overnight stay while using the state plane, according to records.
On April 20, Casada also spent $941 for food and drinks at The Lookout, a restaurant located on the 28th floor of the iconic Memphis Pyramid that offers $48 rib eye steaks and $40 elk chops for dinner.
Casada’s trips to Memphis and Knoxville on the state plane cost taxpayers more than $4,400.
The Franklin Republican’s use of campaign money on the trips appears to indicate the travel would be related to campaign purposes.
Use of the state plane would not be allowed if it were exclusively for political reasons.
Food and beverages
Casada reported spending a total of $6,900 on food and beverages in recent months. The vast majority of such purchases came via his PAC, which faces no limits on how he can spend donors’ money.
He paid for meals at Domino’s Pizza, Jason’s Deli, Panera Bread Co., and Papa John’s Pizza, in addition to purchases made at more upscale restaurants including the Nashville City Club and The Palm.
Casada also reported spending $176 on beverages at Skull’s Rainbow Room just days after becoming speaker. Skull’s hosts live jazz most days and burlesque performances Thursday through Saturday.
Casada also reported spending $1,375 for “dues/subscriptions” at The Standard, a Nashville-based members-only club that has a political action committee.
Casada has a long history of spending money at The Standard for food and drinks, in addition to his membership. The private club’s PAC was part of an unusual series of transactions that faced scrutiny.
In addition, Casada reported spending $724 at the Iroquois Steeplechase on May 14. Casada reported the expenditure as a “contribution.”
Casada’s office said the expenditure was to cover the cost of getting a tent at the Steeplechase and the disclosure would be updated.
A $500 donation to the state party
While Casada’s latest disclosures show his financial activities over the past six months, the reports indicate the speaker has remained on the sidelines in terms of handing out contributions.
Casada’s disclosures show he has not given any of his colleagues any money since the legislative session ended on May 2.
While his lack of donations may not come as a surprise to some — it’s not an election year — Casada relied heavily on several Republicans to help usher Gov. Bill Lee’s signature school vouchers bill through the legislature.
Last year, in the immediate months after the legislative session ended, Casada gave money to seven Republican incumbents and six first-time GOP candidates.
In 2017 — the last non-election year — Casada reported two campaign donations to Republican candidates in the weeks after the legislature adjourned.
Casada’s latest reports also indicate a relative lack of support for the Tennessee Republican Party. His only contribution to the party was one for $500 in late April.
By comparison, two of his colleagues in the legislature — Sens. Bo Watson, Rhixson, and Richard Briggs, R-knoxville — gave $2,500 and $1,250, respectively, to the state party for its annual fundraiser. Many other Republicans have yet to file their latest disclosures, which are due by Monday.
Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@ tennessean.com or 615-772-1681.