• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 11, 2025

Gag Order Could Complicate Brett Favre’s Congressional Testimony on Welfare Scandal

  • Favre may need to testify privately under a subpoena.
  • He has long sought for a gag order in the Mississippi case to be lifted.
Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre
USA TODAY

Brett Favre is headed to Washington.

The Hall of Fame quarterback is scheduled to testify before a congressional committee next week in a hearing on “states’ misuse of welfare funds.” 

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program that was the source of millions of misspent funds that allegedly went to Favre and dozens of others in a sprawling Mississippi scandal that is still being investigated by federal prosecutors. 

Earlier this week, the GOP-led Ways and Means Committee scheduled a Tuesday hearing that will explore TANF reforms. While the witness list has not been made public, a source with knowledge of the situation told Front Office Sports confirmed Favre was invited to testify.

The venue for Favre’s testimony hasn’t been determined yet, according to the same source. Favre finds himself under a gag order as one of more than 40 defendants in a civil case filed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services. That gag order—which Favre has sought to get lifted—could potentially limit what he could testify to in public. 

Favre could give his testimony in private to members of the Ways and Means Committee, potentially under a subpoena, that would allow him to speak about his involvement in the largest public corruption scandal in Mississippi history. That testimony would remain confidential, although a transcript of the testimony could be released by the committee at a later date. 

Punchbowl News was the first outlet to report Favre’s invitation to testify in front of the committee.  

Favre has denied any wrongdoing for his alleged role in the Mississippi welfare scandal that saw more than $90 million in TANF funds improperly diverted from the poorest families in the state. About $8 million of that money is connected to Favre, who eventually diverted it to a volleyball arena at his alma mater and a drug company run by a close associate. Favre has denied knowing that the money came from TANF.

Favre received $1.1 million as part of an alleged scheme in which TANF money was funneled through an educational nonprofit for speeches and appearances. Favre has since repaid the principal, although Mississippi State Auditor Shad White has filed a lawsuit seeking more than $700,000 in interest.

According to text messages, Favre lobbied for the construction of a volleyball arena at the University of Southern Mississippi, where his youngest daughter played the sport at time. The USM Athletic Foundation received $5 million in TANF funds that covered almost the entire cost for the arena that former University of Southern Mississippi president Rodney Bennett said Favre agreed to fund. Favre has denied there was a handshake agreement to pay the entire cost for construction. 

Another $2 million in TANF funds went to Prevacus, a pharmaceutical company that was developing two concussion-related drugs. Favre was the lead spokesperson for Prevacus and was its largest individual investor, according to court documents. 

Favre has not been criminally charged, although seven individuals involved in the scheme have been indicted by federal prosecutors. That latest was Prevacus founder Jake VanLandingham, who pleaded guilty in July to a single count of wire fraud as part of a deal worked out with federal prosecutors. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL

30 NFL Second Rounders Still Unsigned With Camps Set to Open

Saturday is the earliest rookie report date for training camp.
Alex Rodriguez

Finally in Charge, A-Rod Says Timberwolves Need New Arena

Rodriguez and Lore would like to repair team relations with Kevin Garnett.
Cobh Ramblers
exclusive

Ireland’s Ramblers Latest Soccer Club to Gain U.S. Owner

The Ramblers play in the League of Ireland First Division.

Featured Today

Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
Pam Bondi recognizes family and friends in attendance as she delivers opening remarks during a Senate Judiciary committee hearing on her nomination to be Attorney General of the United States on Jan. 15, 2025 in Washington, D.C.

DOJ Sues California Over Transgender Athlete Participation

The lawsuit claims the state is in violation of Title IX.
exclusive
July 8, 2025

Bipartisan Effort Mounts to Repeal Gambling Tax Hike in Trump Bill

The president signed the bill into law last week.
Gianni Infantino
July 8, 2025

FIFA Tightens Trump Ties With Trump Tower Office

Trump and Infantino’s bromance is still kicking.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Donald Trump
July 5, 2025

Trump Bill Has $1.6 Billion for Olympics, World Cup Security

Host cities have lobbied for federal funding to help with security costs.
Mike Crapo
July 3, 2025

Trump Bill’s Tax Hike on Gamblers Was Authored by Sen. Mike Crapo

Crapo’s office did not respond to several messages seeking comment.
July 2, 2025

Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Includes Huge Tax Hike for Pro Gamblers

It was not clear who lobbied for this provision to be included in the bill, or why.
Angel City FC
June 16, 2025

Sports World Reacts to ICE Protests: ‘Immigrant City Football Club’

Angel City wore and distributed “Immigrant City Football Club” shirts Saturday.