Smith testified against former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and Cade Cothren during their trial, which led to Casada's conviction on 17 counts and Cothren's on 19 counts of bribery, conspiracy, fraud, money laundering, and theft.

Her attorney highlighted her prior positive contributions and religious commitments, noting that her actions were morally wrong but not initially recognized as criminal until her arrest.

Her cooperation and testimony helped prosecutors secure convictions against Casada and Cothren, who were found guilty of multiple charges related to the fictitious Phoenix Solutions scheme.

Smith pleaded guilty to honest services wire fraud in March 2022, cooperating fully with federal authorities, and was fined $7,500 with a one-year supervised release after her prison term.

The corruption scandal surfaced after Casada resigned as House speaker in 2019 amid multiple scandals, with the scheme occurring during his tenure as a lawmaker.

The scandal involved using state funds and taxpayer money to establish a fake company, 'Phoenix Solutions,' with the aim of hiding the true owners and transitioning into more profitable ventures.

Former Tennessee state Rep. Robin Smith was sentenced to eight months in federal prison for her role in a corruption scheme involving the taxpayer-funded mail program and her connections with Casada and Cothren.

Before resigning in March 2022, Smith led the Hamilton County Republican Party and served as a state representative for District 26, representing parts of Chattanooga.

Casada was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison with a $30,000 fine, while Cothren received a 30-month sentence and a $25,000 fine, reflecting the severity of their involvement.

Judge Eli J. Richardson emphasized Smith’s deeper involvement in the scheme compared to Casada, highlighting her role in pressuring officials and fabricating information, and criticized the deception involved.

The investigation revealed that Smith, Casada, and Cothren paid bribes and kickbacks exceeding $35,000 during 2020, with the scheme continuing into early January 2021.

Smith acknowledged her failure to uphold public trust during her sentencing and is set to report to prison by January 5, 2026.