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high riskEstimated $100 million
Brett Favre
NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback
Central figure in Mississippi welfare fraud scandal; received $1.1 million in TANF funds while state residents went without
Overview
Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former NFL quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer who became a central figure in the largest public welfare fraud scandal in Mississippi history. Text messages and financial records revealed that Favre received $1.1 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) welfare funds from the Mississippi Department of Human Services for speeches he never gave. Favre also lobbied then-Governor Phil Bryant and welfare administrator John Davis to direct $5 million in welfare funds to build a volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi; where Favre's daughter played volleyball. The total Mississippi welfare fraud exceeded $77 million in federal funds intended for the poorest residents of the poorest state in America. Mississippi's child poverty rate was 27.6% during the period the funds were diverted. Favre has repaid the $1.1 million but has not paid $228,000 in interest owed. He was not criminally charged but faces a civil lawsuit filed by the state.
Key Affiliations
University of Southern Mississippi
Alumnus; lobbied for volleyball facility using welfare funds
organization
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback (1992-2007); MVP 1995, 1996, 1997
corporation
Prevacus Inc.
Investor; invested $250,000 of his own funds plus sought welfare money for concussion drug company
corporation
Controversies & Concerns
Received $1.1 million in TANF welfare funds for speeches he never gave; texts show he asked welfare director Nancy New "if you were to pay me; is there any way the media can find out where it came from and how much?"
Lobbied Governor Phil Bryant via text to direct $5 million in TANF welfare funds to build a volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi where his daughter played
Text messages reveal Favre was told the money was coming from "prior prior prior year prior TANF funds" and he continued to pursue the volleyball project despite this
Sought TANF funds for Prevacus Inc.; a concussion drug company in which Favre had invested; $2.15 million in welfare funds were directed to the company
Mississippi TANF scandal totaled $77+ million in diverted welfare funds; the money was intended for families living below the poverty line in the poorest state in America
Repaid $1.1 million but still owes $228,000 in interest; never criminally charged while lower-level participants received prison sentences
Related Investigations (1)
Known Associates & Connections
Phil Bryant
Governor of Mississippi who coordinated with Favre via text to direct welfare funds to volleyball facility
Nancy New
Director of Mississippi Community Education Center; pled guilty to fraud; channeled $1.1M to Favre
John Davis
Former head of MS Department of Human Services; sentenced to federal prison for welfare fraud scheme
Sources & Documentation
3 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- October 10, 1969
- Birthplace
- Gulfport, Mississippi, USA
- Also Known As
- The Gunslinger
Education
- •University of Southern Mississippi; B.S. 1991
Key Timeline
October 10, 1969
Born in Gulfport, Mississippi
1992-2010
NFL career spanning Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings; retired as all-time passing leader
2016
Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame
2017-2019
Received $1.1 million in TANF funds through the Mississippi Community Education Center (MCEC) for speaking appearances he did not make
2019
Texted Governor Bryant and others to secure $5 million in welfare funds for USM volleyball facility
February 2020
Mississippi State Auditor releases report revealing $94 million in misspent welfare funds
September 2022
Text messages between Favre and Governor Bryant made public; revealing coordination to direct welfare funds
May 2022
Mississippi files civil lawsuit against Favre and others to recover misspent welfare funds
October 2023
Favre's claims of being "cleared" disputed by state auditor; civil lawsuit ongoing