A special investigation from

revealed the possibility that Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada's office tried to frame a young activist who challenged Republican lawmakers during this year's legislative session.

The investigation has uncovered new evidence that raises questions about the Speaker's chief of staff, Cade Cothren.

Nashville District Attorney General Glenn Funk has requested a special prosecutor to take a hard look at the case.

"This was an extreme form of retaliation where you are willing to lie to take away somebody's freedom," Justin Jones, the student activist who was allegedly targeted by the Speaker's office, told NC5.

While Casada has been at the center of multiple protests this year (including voter rights issues) Jones said former House Speaker Beth Harwell regularly met with his group while Casada declined.

Jones was arrested for assault after throwing a cup onto the Speaker's elevator in late February, and released on bond with the condition he have no contact with Casada.

This order was made on February 28. In early March, Funk's office filed a motion to revoke Jones' bail, citing an email Jones had allegedly sent to Casada's chief of staff that was copied to the House Speaker on March 1.

However, the email was sent on February 25, according to NewsChannel 5's investigation.

"You have some of the most powerful people in this state who are willing to file a false report and to file false paperwork and to manipulate paperwork to take your freedom away," Jones said.

Casada responded claiming he knew nothing about it.

"I know nothing of that -- nothing," Casada told NewsChannel 5 Investigates.

Chief-of-Staff Cothren refused to answer questions concerning the email.

NewsChannel 5 is also reporting Jones and Cothren's relationship has been contentious and has uncovered racists text messages sent by Cothren. See screenshots of the texts below.

Cothren has not responded to requests for comment from NewsChannel 5.

Read more of NewsChannel 5's coverage