Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre is being investigated as part of a civil case brought by the Mississippi Department of Human Services over millions of dollars in misallocated welfare funds. Favre has maintained his innocence throughout the process, but one allegation that was recently made public is generating a lot of buzz.
Favre’s involvement in the scandal stems from his decision to fund a new volleyball arena for the University of Southern Mississippi – his alma mater. But instead of receiving money directly from Favre, the project was actually funded with $5 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds which were meant to help Mississippi’s most impoverished individuals.
Brett Favre has maintained his innocence throughout the process, but according to documents obtained by Front Office Sports this week, former University of Southern Mississippi president Rodney Bennett claimed that Brett Favre agreed to personally fund the $5 million construction project.
“My understanding, from my early January [2017] meeting with Brett was that Brett was going to pay, personally, for whatever the cost of the facility was,” Bennett testified during his October 2023 deposition, according to Front Office Sports. “… The agreement was, between Brett and me in my office, that he would pay for the entire amount, in an effort to have that facility able to move along the continuum faster than it would if it were a state capital project.”
When asked about this encounter, Favre was asked if Bennett would have any reason to lie about this interaction.
“Do you know of any reason why Dr. Bennett, now chancellor at University of Nebraska, would lie?” an attorney representing MDHS asked Favre.
“That’s a good question. I don’t. … I have no idea,” Favre responded
Obviously, this is a pretty horrible look for Favre, and it led to a lot of reactions on social media.
His excuse to why he thought this wasn't illegal, might be enough….. But the ones he named, IHL & AG & others, have to be on the chopping block. They knew. https://t.co/YmSA3imVSQ
— Nick King Cole (@Nick_King_Cole) January 24, 2024
I have an idea, Brett. At least one of you is lying, is my idea.
— Wendell Albright
(@WendellAlbright) January 23, 2024
Favre has not been charged criminally in the matter and has declared his innocence throughout.
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