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There’s a new development in the ongoing Mississippi civil lawsuit regarding Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, who is allegedly involved in a welfare fraud case.
As Mississippi Today reports, text messages entered the matter Monday that show former Mississippi governor Phil Bryant pushed to build a volleyball campus at the University of Southern Mississippi using welfare funds, a project in which the Green Bay Packers legend was heavily invested, Mississippi Today reported. Favre’s daughter played volleyball at USM.
Bryant told Favre how to draft a funding proposal he was pushing for Nancy New, a nonprofit founder who pleaded guilty in April to misappropriating public funds. Lawyers for the New Key nonprofit were the ones who sent the text messages.
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Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre attends the game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 20, 2020 in Tampa, Florida.
(Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“Can we help her with the project[?]Bryant asked about Favre’s volleyball complex at New Se School in July 2019. “We should meet soon to see how I can make sure we put your projects right.”
Bryant reportedly told Favre that he would “handle” the funding being provided, despite having a new director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, as Bryant let John Davis go.
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At least $5 million worth of state funding was raised for the new volleyball stadium at the university, and Bryant denied any involvement in it for years.
According to Mississippi Today, the new guilty plea came in 13 felony counts related to the plan, which funded at least $77 million. While Davis awaits trial for his role in it, both Bryant and Favre have yet to be charged with a crime. Naya is assisting prosecutors as part of the plea deal.
There is also a $1.1 million welfare contract showing the message to Favre to promote the USM program.
Brett Favre speaks during the third day of SiriusXM at Super Bowl LIV on January 31, 2020 in Miami.
(Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
“I could record some radio spots … and whatever compensation could go to USM,” Favre texted New.
The texts show that Favre was also concerned that the media could find out where the funding was coming from.
The name of the welfare program is Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). According to NBC News, Favre reportedly received money from him in 2017 and 2018, and when he repaid that money, he didn’t pay the $228,000 in interest sought by the Mississippi state auditor.
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Favre was questioned by the FBI about the scam, as acknowledged by Favre’s attorney, Bud Holmes.
“I’m doing whatever I can to support this investigation to make things right for the people of Mississippi, and I’ve shared everything I know, which I’ve learned from three years of commercials. was paid for, and I paid the taxes for the money, as I should,” Favre posted on twitter,
Favre also reportedly sought a $3.2 million grant for a pharmaceutical company that he is a shareholder of a volleyball stadium.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre attempts a pass against the New York Giants on October 3, 2004 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
According to NBC News, Shad White is the state auditor who first discovered the misappropriation and fraud. White responded to Favre’s October 2021 tweet, defending the conclusion that Favre also had to deliver a motivational speech, for which he had received payment.
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“These are lies, [Brett Favre],” White said on twitter those days. “I’m not going to hide how much you were paid, why you were paid, or hold room meetings to give it away… You didn’t make speeches. It’s accepted.”
Fox News’ Joe Morgan contributed to this report.
