The Mississippi Department of Human Services argued last week that Brett Favre, NFL Hall of Famer it should remain a target in a lawsuit seeking to recover millions in poorly spent welfare money.
Favre’s attorneys filed a second motion in February to dismiss a Mississippi Department of Human Services complaint against the former NFL quarterback.
Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre throws before a game between the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at MM Roberts Stadium. Favre played for Southern Miss. (Chuck Cook/USA Today Sports)
«Favre’s submission is not a motion to dismiss; it’s a long press release,” state court documents filed March 13 say.
«The Court should ignore Favre’s tirade and inadmissible evidence and, based on the well-argued allegations in the First Amended Complaint, deny his Motion to Dismiss.»
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The state of Mississippi is suing 38 people or companies in an attempt to claim $24 million of $77 million in federal welfare funds, according to a Mississippi Today report.
Favre, who helped raise money for a University of Southern Mississippi volleyball center, has denied knowing that a $5 million grant for the volleyball facility came from a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) welfare fund through the Mississippi Community Education Center (MCEC), an organization non-profit operated by Nancy New.
TANF funds are not allowed for «brick and mortar» construction projects.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre shows his support by wearing Tom Brady’s version of the Bucco Bruce vintage jersey before a game between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 20, 2020 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Florida (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
«It is clear that MDHS has sued Favre, a Mississippi and national celebrity, to try to deflect responsibility for his own heinous wrongdoing by allowing tens of millions of dollars of his public funds to be wasted, funds for which he himself MDHS admits it was ‘solely responsible,’” the February filing by Favre’s attorneys, including Eric D. Herschmann, read, according to The Associated Press.
in the center of favre participation received $1.1 million from the fundraiser that Favre reportedly gave to the university to help build the volleyball center.
Favre returned the $1.1 million after discovering that the money came from federal welfare funds.
In December, MDHS withdrew its $1.1 million lawsuit from Favre and filed a new lawsuit for up to $5 million against Favre and the college sports foundation, saying the money used for the volleyball facilities was misused.
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As previously reported by Fox News Digital, text messages between Favre and New in October 2017 generated renewed interest in Favre’s involvement because they seem to suggest that Favre was concerned about where the money he was going to be paid was coming from.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre heads to the sideline after throwing an interception by Chicago Bears’ Julius Peppers during the first quarter of a game at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on December 20, 2010. (REUTERS/Eric Miller)
In those texts, Favre asked New if the public could know where the money came from.
«If you were to pay me, is there any way the media can find out where it came from and how much?» Favre asked New in a text message.
Favre’s lawyers told Fox News Digital in October 2022 that Favre was concerned the media would find out that he was being paid by a nonprofit, and not that the money came from a fund meant for those in need, since I had no knowledge. that the money came from the welfare fund.
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«Brett entered into a private agreement to record a publicity speech for a nonprofit organization,» Herschmann said. “Like most celebrities, he didn’t want his source of income to be public. That’s why he asked if it would be made public.
“He had no idea the payment came from TANF and if he had known, he never would have accepted that money.”
Former NFL player Brett Favre tees off the 10th tee during the Celebrity Foursome in the second round of the American Family Insurance Championship at University Ridge Golf Club on June 11, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Patricio McDermott/Getty Images)
State Auditor Shad White, who first discovered waste and fraud, jumped on Twitter Monday to point out what it says is new information found in the latest court documents.
White shared a portion of the presentation, which he says is a new set of text messages from Favre.
«Favre asked, ‘Would this also solve the brick and mortar problem?'» the document states.
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«Again, Favre knew that the grant funds could not be used for brick-and-mortar construction, but he tried to secretly obtain those funds for that purpose anyway. He asked, ‘Will it be the public perception that I became in a spokesperson for various state funded shelters?, schools, homes, etc…and was compensated with money from the state?or can we keep this a secret?
In a Twitter thread, White said: «The public already knew that Favre knew he was receiving public money.
«But the new texts make it clear that Favre knew he was receiving ‘grant’ money meant to benefit people in state-funded shelters, schools, homes, etc.» In other words, the poor.»
Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre speaks to the media in Jackson, Mississippi on October 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solís, File)
In February, Favre filed defamation lawsuits in federal court in Hinds County, Mississippi, against White, Shannon Sharpe, Fox Sports Personality and sports podcast host Pat McAfee on Favre’s alleged involvement in the Mississippi welfare fraud case.
«Brett Favre has spent his life helping the citizens of Mississippi,» a Favre spokesperson told Fox News Digital. «Shad White should learn from Brett. Shad needs to stop attacking Brett to try to advance his political career and instead focus on doing his job. We hope to win this defamation case.»
Favre has not been criminally charged in the case.