Former Tennessee State Senator Receives 21-Month Prison Sentence for Campaign Finance Scheme

Former Tennessee state senator Brian Kelsey has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for his involvement in a campaign finance cash scheme. Kelsey attempted to retract his guilty plea, claiming it was made under duress due to personal circumstances, but the request was denied. He was charged with funneling campaign money from his legislative seat to support his unsuccessful 2016 congressional bid. Kelsey's co-defendant, Joshua Smith, received five years of probation. Prosecutors accused Kelsey of intentionally delaying his sentencing, and he has been banned from running for state office and stripped of his law license.