House Speaker Glen Casada's chief of staff Cade Cothren has resigned in light of reports that the top aide solicited sex in text messages to interns and lobbyists and used illegal drugs in the legislative office building.

Cothren, 32, confirmed his resignation Monday evening.

"I think it was just a distraction," Cothren told the USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee in an interview.

Cothren's resignation came hours after the USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee published a story that showed he asked one intern in 2015 for oral sex and nude photos. He also suggested in 2014 texts that he would continue "hitting on" another intern, and made sexual advances to a lobbyist in 2016.

Cothren subsequently released a statement.

"Republicans in the House and Senate accomplished a plethora of great things this year," he said. "We have a hell of a leadership team in both chambers and in the governor's office, and I couldn't be more proud to have worked with them in 2019."

Cothren said he believed the "best thing for (him) to do is step down" so Tennessee Republicans could stay focused on their work.

After Cothren's resignation, Casada, House Majority Leader William Lamberth and House GOP caucus chairman Cameron Sexton all issued a statement.

Casada thanked Cothren for his service to the General Assembly.

Lamberth said he was "shocked and disappointed" to learn of the allegations involving Cothren.

"These allegations are grave and serious; I do not condone these actions and they will not be tolerated," said Lamberth.

Sexton said the "unforeseen circumstances" were "unfortunate" and that Cothren made the right decision.

"This has been an extremely difficult time for all involved," he said. "I appreciate Cade putting Tennessee's interests first."

Prior to his resignation, Cothren, a longtime staffer for Casada, was named chief of staff in January and earned a salary of $199,800, the third highest for a legislative employee.

He also faced scrutiny over racist text messages first reported on last week by NewsChannel 5.

After that story, Casada defended Cothren, who he noted worked for him for 10 years.

Even after Monday's reports of Cothren's past drug use and sexual text messages, Casada maintained his support for the embattled staffer.

According to copies of text messages obtained by the USA TODAY Network - Tennessee, Casada, who was married at the time, participated in Cothren’s sexually charged comments toward women.

One of the text conversations came in July 2016, when Cothren shared a photo of an upside down woman standing next to a pole. He shared the picture with Casada, who said, “What about some pole dancing!!!”

Cothren referred to the woman as “wife material” before Casada asked, “Can I just touch????”

Cothren replied, “Lol maybe just once.”

In August 2016, Cothren texted Casada about a sexual encounter he had with a woman.

“Just so y’all know, I did f—k (woman) in the bathroom at party fowl,” he said, referring to the Party Fowl restaurant. “Will send pictures later.”

Casada responded: “Only gone for 60 seconds,” adding, “R u a minute man???;)”

Cothren said, “Yes, I take after you. Like father like son.”

Casada replied, “Lolol! If I’m happy, then all is good!!!!!”

In a separate 2016 exchange with another person, Casada said, referring to Cothren, "Those girls aren't safe!!! Shepard? He's the wolf!!!"

In texts sent during April 2015, Cothren solicited oral sex on one occasion and nude photos another time from an intern. He also asked her whether she was wearing underwear and attempted to pivot the topic of a conversation to orgasms.

In multiple interviews on Monday, Casada reiterated that he would continue standing by Cothren and would not terminate or demote him as a result of the allegations. He emphasized that Cothren had proven himself to be a changed man.

But Casada did say that had he been aware of Cothren's sexual advances toward interns at the time, he would have fired him.

"He would have been let go,” Casada said. “If I had known that he was interacting with interns in that manner, I probably would have sent him to rehabilitation.”

A spokeswoman for Gov. Bill Lee on Monday said Lee would not be commenting on the matter. When asked why, press secretary Laine Arnold said the governor's office reserves the right to decide when to comment.

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Reach Natalie Allison at nallison@tennessean.com. Follow her on Twitter at @natalie_allison.

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