Federal District Judge Eli Richardson has sentenced Cade Cothren to 30 months in prison after a sentencing proceeding was held on Tuesday. Judge Richardson chose not to impose the guidelines of 63-78 months for his prison sentence. Cothren will also be required to pay a $25,000 fine. He is a former top aide to the former House Speaker Glen Casada.

Casada will have his sentencing conducted on Tuesday, September 23.

Casada and Cothren were found guilty of nearly 20 charges each in May, despite three charges being dismissed by the judge last week.   Prosecutors said the pair used their political influence to make money they wouldn’t have otherwise gotten.

They used a fake mailer business and forged signatures to illicitly obtain $50,000 in funds for legislative mailers.  

Casada and Cothren could have faced up to 20 years in prison for their actions. However,  Judge Richardson listed the range of 63-78 months in prison as the set guidelines. This was based on several factors, including the loss amount.

Another former legislator, Robin Smith, was also involved in the scheme and previously pled guilty and cooperated with the prosecutors.

Cothren’s attorneys have declared that he will appeal the convictions.