A Republican state senator in Tennessee pleaded guilty to two federal corruption charges in connection to an illegal campaign finance scheme, according to court documents.
Brian Kelsey, 44, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to aiding and abetting the acceptance of excessive campaign contributions, as well as another count of conspiracy to defraud the federal government. The scheme related to Kelsey’s failed congressional bid in 2016.
Kelsey and his co-conspirators, including Nashville social club owner Joshua Smith, admitted to participating in a conspiracy to funnel over $90,000 from Kelsey’s state campaign to his federal campaign. At a 2016 dinner, Kelsey handed a $106,000 check to Smith. That money was steered to national Republican groups, including the American Conservative Union, a nonprofit organization, which boosted Kelsey’s congressional campaign with radio and digital advertising, according to the Justice Department.
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The move by Kelsey and Smith violated campaign finance laws, said a federal grand jury in Nashville in a five-count indictment against the pair roughly one year ago, since the transaction was concealed. Their actions caused the ACU to make illegal and excessive contributions totaling $80,000.
While Kelsey pleaded not guilty in October, his lawyers filed a motion later that month to change his plea, the Tennessean reported. Smith pleaded guilty in October to “aiding and abetting the solicitation, receipt, direction, transfer, and spending of soft money in connection with a federal election,” according to the DOJ.
“Soft money” is a term relating to funds not subject to federal regulations.
Kelsey was charged in December 2021 and previously denied any guilt, calling the case a “political witch hunt.”
“Colleagues, let me be clear: I’m totally innocent,” Kelsey said at the time. “And I look forward to clearing my name through the judicial process. I trust in time the truth will prevail, and I will resume my leadership role to the education committee.”
Sentencing for Kelsey will occur in June 2023, but attorneys handling the case have indicated they would file a motion to fast-track matters, according to the Tennessean. He faces up to five years in prison on each count.
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Kelsey announced in May he would not seek reelection, telling his supporters: “Lord willing, I hope that you will give me the opportunity to run for elected office in Tennessee again in the coming years.”
The DOJ did not respond to a request for comment. Kelsey’s office did not respond.
