An ongoing welfare fraud investigation in Mississippi has resulted in the publication of a series of text messages between former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre and state officials who are alleged to have funneled more than $77 million to unqualified projects.
A motion filed September 12 includes a string of texts which reveal how $1.1 million was directed to Favre via a non-profit group. The player then gave the money to the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) to help fund the construction of a new volleyball facility.
Favre has repeatedly denied having any knowledge that funds directed to him for the facility originated from the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) using Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) monies. Favre had apparently agreed to record advertisements for the state welfare program in order to allow the funds to be paid through a non-profit organization.
In the texts, Favre reportedly specifically addressed concerns about the payments becoming public knowledge, but he does not indicate that he knew the funds were illegally transferred.
“If you were to pay me is there any way the media could find out where it came from and how much?” Favre reportedly asked Nancy New, director of the Mississippi Community Education Center in an August 3, 2017 text.
“No. We never have had that information publicized. I understand you being uneasy about that though,” New responded. New and her son, Zach, pleaded guilty to charges of fraud in April 2022 for their role in diverting TANF funds for a variety of fraudulent purposes. The Mississippi Community Education Center (MCEC) was a non-profit organization responsible for disbursing millions in TANF funds.
Favre began working with then-Governor Phil Bryant to arrange the construction of a state-of-the-art volleyball facility at USM. Favre and Bryant both attended USM, as did Favre’s daughter, who was a USM volleyball player at the time the funding plan was arranged.
Neither Favre nor Bryant, whose term as governor ended in 2020, have been charged with any crimes. Investigators looking into the massive fraud case have been specifically precluded from investigating the volleyball facility, and depositions from both Favre and Bryant were canceled by state prosecutors.
“The evidence suggests that MDHS Executives, including Governor Bryant, knew that Favre was seeking funds from MDHS to build the Volleyball Facility … and participated in directing, approving, or providing Favre MDHS funds to be used for construction of the Volleyball Facility,” the court filing read.
The plan called for funds provided to MCEC to be used as “lease” payments to USM in an effort to evade federal prohibitions on using TANF funds for “brick and mortar” construction. In exchange, MCEC was to be provided office space within the facility, which would be called a “wellness center.”
Attorney Brad Pigott originally represented the state’s welfare agency in the fraud case but was fired by newly elected Governor Tate Reeves.
Pigott was terminated after requesting subpoenas from the USM athletic foundation and MCEC. He has said that he believes his firing was politically motivated because he was looking into communications involving Bryant and Bryant’s wife, Deborah, relating to funds from MDHS that went to the college.
In addition to the state investigations into the fraud, the FBI is also looking into the allegations but has not publicly announced the subjects of the inquiry.
