FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Outgoing House Speaker Glen Casada has asked a judge to relieve him of obligations to pay alimony to his ex-wife, saying he no longer has the income to keep up with his obligations.
The filing blames the loss of Casada's job with Merck pharmaceuticals, raising questions about the Williamson County Republican's claim that he voluntarily resigned from the position.
"On or about May 15, 2019, Mr. Casada lost his employment with Merck which was the primary source of his income, thereby constituting a substatial and material change in circumstances," says a motion filed June 26th by Casada's attorney, Sarah Richter Perky.
"Due to his advanced age and the circumstances of his unemployment, it is highly unlikely that Mr. Casada will be able to secure comparable employment."
Casada's separation from Merck came amid the text messaging scandal, first uncovered by NewsChannel 5 Investigates, that ultimately led to his decision to resign his speakership.
On May 17, The Tennessean quoted Holt Whitt, Casada's director of legislation, confirming the speaker's departure from the drug company.
"He didn't feel like he could do both jobs, so he resigned," Whitt told the newspaper.
The Tennessean noted that Casada was employed as an animal pharmaceutical salesman and had been employed by Merck since 2012.
Under the terms of Casada's September 2017 divorce, he was required to pay $4,000 a month in alimony to Jill Casada.
This week, Jill Casada's attorney, Rose Palermo, asked the court to reject Glen Casada's petition "as he has not followed proper procedure."
Court documents show all Williamson County judges recently recused themselves from hearing the dispute.
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