Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre is, without a doubt, one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the franchise and the NFL in general. A three-time NFL MVP, Favre helped Green Bay end a 29-year Super Bowl drought by leading Green Bay to victory in Super Bowl XXXI. Indeed, his legend still looms large among Packers fans, though events in his retirement have caused many to question his character.
Of course, this is a reference to the Mississippi Welfare Scandal. In March of 2020, multiple people were arrested for defrauding the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) fund in the state. While Favre himself has not been arrested, charged, nor convicted of any crimes, he was named as a participating party by journalists reporting on the story.
The reports allege that Favre used his friendship with former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant to use money from TANF to fund the construction of a volleyball stadium at Southern Miss.
Former Green Bay Packers Quarterback Brett Favre Has Always Denied Involvement in the Mississippi Welfare Scandal
To be clear, there is no question that parties did in fact defraud needy families in the state of Mississippi. In a recent report by Bonnie Bolden of the Clarion Ledger, it is revealed that the federal government has ordered Mississippi’s government to repay nearly $101 million to the TANF fund.
“The money was taken from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, and the state was denying effectively all requests for aid during the time funds were being embezzled,” Bolden wrote. “Former Gov. Phil Bryant was not named in the letter, though the allegations took place during his tenure.
“According to the Administration for Children & Families, the total being requested is the result of two forensic audits.”
Bolden also states that Favre, who had been heavily linked to the scandal, has not been charged with any crimes.
And while Favre has maintained his innocence, others accused, specifically former Governor Bryant, have gone on the offensive and sued journalists and publications for defamation.
Former Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre Sees Defamation Lawsuit Dismissed in Court
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Former Governor Bryant sued the newspaper Mississippi Today, its editor, and journalist Anna Wolfe for defamation. Both the publication and Wolfe won a Pulitzer Prize for their reporting on the story.
On Friday, a Mississippi judge dismissed the lawsuit, which had been filed two years ago. Had the case been allowed to go on, Wolfe would have faced jailtime herself for not revealing her confidential sources, who had spoken to her on the condition of anonymity for her report.
While Bryant plans to appeal the judge’s decision, Favre remains unaffected. He was not a part of the lawsuit filed by the former governor, but now will continue to silently remain firm in the stance that he did not do anything wrong or illegal.
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