Former Senator Brian Kelsey, whose lawyer was caught, will leave the federal courthouse Fred D. Thompson in Nashville after being sentenced 21 months in federal prison. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Former Tennessee Sen. Brian Kelsey is being cut straight from a short prison stint cut by the president’s pardon.

The former German Town Republican, who served two weeks in federal prison to direct an illegal campaign finance scheme, is lobbying to pass lawmakers who allow him to use his state campaign account to pay legal fees after a three-year court battle.

Sen. Richard Briggs of Knoxville confirmed on Wednesday that Kelsey would call him twice to request an amendment to the Campaign Finance Bill sponsoring the session. Washington County Republican Rep. Tim Hicks sponsors the House version of the bill, while Nashville Democrat Caleb Hemmer is co-sponsored.

Briggs wasn’t sure what fixes Kelsey was looking for. Kelsey also contacted Hicks, according to Briggs.

But Bill Young, executive director of the Ethics and Campaign Finance Department, said the former senator hopes that he can use the state’s campaign funds to pay legal fees.

Former Tennessee Sen. Brian Kelsey receives Trump’s pardon two weeks after heading to prison

Kelsey hired at least six lawyers after being charged with violating federal government’s campaign finance law by focusing more than $80,000 on the American Conservative Coalition through two political action committees. It is illegal to use state campaign money to pay for federal campaigns, as funds are raised under different rules.

The Ethics and Campaign Finance Department declined Kelsey’s previous request to use funds remaining in his state account to pay legal fees. According to the latest filing to the state, Kelsey won $197,519 on his state account before handing over to the Red State Political Action Committee in June 2023.

Briggs’ bill is stuck on the Senate Finance Committee due to a provision that employs auditors and incorporates some of the professional privilege taxes paid by lobbyists to pay for the new campaign finance reporting system for the Election Financial Ethics Committee.

Kelsey received a pardon from President Donald Trump after two weeks of serving in a federal prison in Kentucky this year. The former senator resigned from the senator after being indicted four years ago. He pleaded guilty to a federal campaign finance request, but rescinded his plea, claiming that he was not violating the law.

Kelsey hired a small number of lawyers after releasing his first team of lawyers. He also argued that his decision to plead guilty was clouded by the birth of twin sons and the illness of his father, who later died. Kelsey also said that despite being an attorney and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he does not understand the criminal law system.