Retired NFL player Brett Favre is in the middle of a $6 million scandal impacting the state of Mississippi.
Mississippi Free Press reports that in 2017 former Governor Phil Bryant and nonprofit leader Nancy New allegedly agreed to give the former Packers quarterback millions of dollars that was meant for poor families.
Court documents filed in a Mississippi court on September 12th suggest that Brett Favre received $1.1 million for speaking gigs that he allegedly never attended and $5 million to build a volleyball stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), a college his daughter attended.
Documents also suggest the organization “paid Favre $1,100,000 simply for the ‘purpose of enriching’ him,” the separate civil suit stated.
The evidence, however, shows that MCEC paid Favre $1,100,000 expressly to provide Favre with additional funds to use for construction of the Volleyball Facility.
Authorities say that Favre met with John Davis, former Mississippi Department of Human Services Director), Teddy DiBiase, Nancy New, USM Athletic Staff, MDHS and MCEC officials to request funding and MDHS committed to $4 million in TANF funds for construction of the Volleyball Facility.”
Eventually, Favre is said to have asked for more funds and acquired $5 million in cash for the volleyball stadium.
In a piece of evidence submitted to the courts, New allegedly texted Favre and stated Bryant was on board with their plans.
Wow, just got off the phone with Phil Bryant! He is on board with us! We will get this done!” per the filing.
While New was reportedly preparing to make a $600,000 payment to the Mississippi native, authorities claim Favre asked if the “media” would find out, and she assured that the information wouldn’t be “publicized,” in newly released texts submitted as evidence.
In April 2020, Mississippi State Auditor Shad White shared a 2019 Single Audit Report of the State of Mississippi, voicing concern for fraud and the mishandling of funds.
“Due to the inability to verify that any work was performed in order to fulfill the contract, and due to the unreasonable amount paid, the entire payment of $1,100,000 paid in FY 2018 is questioned,” White’s audit said.
White’s audit also said:
“When the lease from USM Athletic Foundation was viewed under scrutiny, auditors determined that the substance of the $5,000,000 payment to USM is a donation to the USM Athletic Foundation for the construction of the Wellness Center and not a lease of the property.
In 2021, Favre tweeted a series of thoughts denying these claims.
As I have said before, I would never accept money for no-show appearances, as the state of Mississippi auditor, @ShadWhite claims.
The Hall of Famer also stated he was doing “all he can” to support the investigation.
As of now, Brett Favre has not been charged with any crime and has paid back over a million dollars. But the state says he stills owes over $200K in interest.
John Davis, the former executive director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, pled guilty to two federal charges “(wire fraud and to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal loans and one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds).” He will be sentenced Feb 3, 2023.
