The FBI has interviewed retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre regarding the Mississippi welfare scandal that saw over $77 million in Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Funds doled out to fund pet projects and sports celebrities—including Favre himself. NBC News reported Thursday night that Favre’s attorney confirmed the FBI’s involvement.
Between 2017 and 2018, a nonprofit whose operators have since pleaded guilty on multiple charges paid Favre $1.1 million for promotional spots and motivational speeches that Mississippi State Auditor Shad White says he never gave.
“Favre hasn’t been accused of a crime or charged, and he declined an interview,” NBC News’ Ken Dilanian, Laura Strickler and Didi Martinez reported. “His lawyer, Bud Holmes, said (Favre) did nothing wrong and never understood he was paid with money intended to help poor children. “Holmes acknowledged that the FBI had questioned Favre in the case, a fact that hasn’t previously been reported.”
After receiving multiple demands from the Office of the State Auditor in late 2021, Favre repaid the full $1.1 million, but White says he still owes $228,000 in interest. Favre lives near Hattiesburg, Miss., and has denied any wrongdoing in the case. No officials have accused him of any crimes.
The depth of the FBI’s involvement in the case remains unclear. Since 2020, state and federal prosecutors have indicted multiple people in the TANF fraud scandal, including former Mississippi Department of Human ServicesJohn Davis, the, and even his nephew Austin Smith.
The nonprofit operators for the Mississippi Community Education Center and Family Resource Center, Nancy New and Zach New, described in plea agreements how they worked with Davis. They described funneling welfare funds from MDHS, through their nonprofits and into the pockets or causes of celebrities like Favre, retired pro wrestler Ted DiBiase and former football player Marcus DuPree.
‘Gross Misuse of
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