Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves claimed in an Aug. 28, 2023 tweet that his Democratic opponent, Brandon Presley, had called on him to disassociate from donors to the University of Southern Mississippi and that he had called all USM supporters “corrupt” in relation to the state’s $77 million welfare scandal.
“Today, Brandon Presley held a press conference outside my home to call on me to disavow anyone who has donated to the University of Southern Mississippi,” Reeves tweeted, referring to remarks the Democrat delivered outside the governor’s mansion in Jackson. “He now says all Southern Miss supporters are corrupt. These are the mental gymnastics he has to do to tie me to a scandal that happened before my time in office where I’m suing the people who got the money.”
At the Aug. 28 press conference, Presley spoke about the welfare scandal, which involves millions in misspent Temporary Assistance For Needy Families funds that were directed to unallowed purposes and even to some sports celebrities and their causes, such as Brett Favre’s push to build a volleyball stadium at his alma mater, USM. Presley has made the scandal and opposing corruption a central message in his campaign and sought to tie Reeves, who was lieutenant governor at the time it unfolded between 2016 and 2019, to it. The Democratic candidate called on Reeves to return campaign contributions he said came from people with some connection to the TANF Scandal.
Presley cited specific individuals who donated money to Reeves, including over $270,00 from Joseph Canizaro, the New Orleans real estate developer from whom retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre and his business partner Jake VanLandingham sought a financial investment to fund their pharmaceutical company venture Prevacus. The since-indicted Mississippi Department of Human Services director at the time, John Davis, and the since-indicted nonprofit operator Nancy New wound up directing millions in welfare dollars to Prevacus, though Canizaro was not involved in that; Favre and VanLandingham have denied knowing welfare money was used. Investigators have not accused Canizaro of any wrongdoing, nor have they accused Favre or VanLandingham of any crimes.
At the press