A new report from Anna Wolff from Mississippi today It is alleged that former NFL quarterback Brett Favre used his political and business connections to raise taxpayer money for his favorite organizations.
Favre reportedly used “special access” to Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant and other powerful players who have secured state welfare money to get millions of dollars for organizations he favors. Among Favre’s influences were $5 million in grant money for the University of Southern Mississippi’s new volleyball stadium and $2.15 million in “alleged stolen money” from the Mississippi Department of Human Services to a Favre-backed drug company called Prevacus.
It is also alleged that Favre took $1.1 million in welfare money for himself.
However, the allegations go beyond simply helping determine who gets how much money. It is alleged that Favre offered Bryant and nonprofit director Nancy New shares in Prevacus, and wanted those numbers to help him pay off money he owed to the University of Southern Mississippi.
Through the entire Mississippi welfare scandal being scrutinized, at least $8 million is reported to be linked to Favre’s actions. He’s already paid out the nearly $1 million he earned as a spokesperson for the Family First for Mississippi program, but he has reportedly not repaid more than $200,000 in interest he owes on the money.
Mississippi Department of Human Services Director Bob Anderson said earlier he was waiting for the attorney general’s approval to formally file a civil lawsuit against Favre and others, according to Wolff.
At first, Favre denied any knowledge of any misuse of funds, but Mississippi today I found text messages saying the opposite.
In 2018, Prevacus owner Jake VanLandingham, Favre’s business partner, reportedly texted Favre “to ask the governor about the rules to compensate him”.
“Text the governor and tell him we want to give him the shares but we don’t want to get anyone into trouble,” Favre replied in a text message.
In addition, Favre allegedly sent a text message to then-MDHS Director John Davis that he and New Favre could help him pay the University of Southern Mississippi money.
“We appreciate you Brett and want to always be supportive. We didn’t view it as touching our neck so much as helping a friend and possibly several people in need of therapy,” Davis wrote again.
There are further text messages that Favre is said to be colluding with all of these allegations, which also include buying Davis a Ford F-150 Raptor and trying to convince the University of Southern Mississippi to fund Prevacus in order to earn stock.
Favre’s goal was to increase his personal fortune.
“Call me crazy but my goal is to make 20m when all is said and done,” Favre reportedly texted Vanlandingham.
This report is only the first part of Mississippi todayThe “Back Channel” series, an investigation of Governor Bryant’s role in “the largest public embezzlement scheme in state history.”
