Thursday September 21, 2023
The Best Employers in Sports Survey is Now Open!
Law

Brett Favre Interviewed by FBI over $70M Mississippi Welfare Scandal

  • Favre has paid back $1.1 million for speeches he allegedly didn't give, but still owes interest.
  • Inquiries into how welfare funds were used in Mississippi dates back to early 2020.
Brett Favre
Shelley Mays/USA TODAY NETWORK
Front Office Sports Today

Could Promotion-Relegation work in College Football?

The proposal aims to create an exciting media product while reducing travel for non-football sports.
Listen Now
September 21, 2023 | Podcast
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre was questioned by the FBI over a long-running Mississippi welfare fraud case. 

Favre’s attorney, Bud Holmes, told NBC News that his client was questioned over the $1.1 million in fees he received in 2017 and 2018 to make motivational speeches that he allegedly didn’t perform. 

“Favre would have been indicted by now if it was proven he knew the funds came from TANF,” an associate of Fravre’s told Front Office Sports on condition of anonymity. 

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a federal program that — as the name suggests — provides financial assistance to states for the purpose of supporting needy families with children. Favre has denied knowing the funds came from the program. 

An inquiry into how the funds were used dates back to early 2020. 

A Mississippi state auditor found that about $70 million in welfare funds were given to Favre along with former pro wrestler Ted DiBiase ($3 million) and former University of Oklahoma running back Marcus Dupree ($370,000). 

Brad Pigott, who was hired by Mississippi to get the misappropriated funds back, was fired in July after he subpoenaed Favre and former Gov. Phil Bryant, sparking claims the move had political motivations. 

“The notion of tens of millions of dollars that was intended by the country to go to the alleviation of poverty — and to see it going toward very different purposes — was appalling to many of us,” Pigott told NBC News. 

Favre has repaid the $1.1 million, but still hasn’t paid back interest owed that amounts to about  $228,000.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Fanatics is buying auction marketplace PWCC.

Fanatics Nabbing WWE Rights In Latest Win Over Panini

Fanatics will take over WWE's trading card rights.
RFK

RFK Stadium Bill Advances in Congress

Congress' vote is the first step towards returning the NFL to D.C.

Can Amazon Keep Up NFL Viewership Boost After Record Week 1?

The San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants face off on Thursday night.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is tripped up by New York Jets defensive end Solomon Thomas in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium.

NFL Viewership Sees 2% Increase in First Two Weeks of 2023 Season

The NFL is experiencing its highest viewership since 2018.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Could Promotion-Relegation work in College Football?

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

Teams without secured venue situations could be left out of a potential XFL-USFL merger.

XFL-USFL Merger Could Drop Teams, Change League Name

Teams without secured venues could be cut from a XFL-USFL merger.
September 21, 2023

Rupert Murdoch's Exit Leaves Lasting Fox Sports Legacy

Rupert Murdoch steps down as chairman of Fox Corp. and News Corp.
Could ESPN lose events such as the NBA Finals if it sold ABC.
September 21, 2023

Selling ABC Poses Billion-Dollar Dilemma for Disney and ESPN's Future

Losing ABC would create complications as ESPN enters NBA rights negotiations.
Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs the ball against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks during the first half at Albertsons Stadium.
exclusive
September 20, 2023

The First Official Proposal for Promotion-Relegation In College Football

Realignment is forcing Group of 5 schools to rethink their structure.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago
Fanatics
New York
Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, Inc.
USA - Multiple Locations
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is among the FTX endorsers who have reached a settlement for their roles in promoting the crypto exchange.

Trevor Lawrence Settles Lawsuit Over FTX Crypto Endorsement

Lawrence has settled while other FTX athlete endorsers still face lawsuits.
Lane Kiffin
September 15, 2023

Ole Miss Football Player Files $40M Lawsuit Against Lane Kiffin, School

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin is being sued by one of his players.
Senate Hearings
September 13, 2023

Senate Subpoenas Saudi Investment Fund Records in PGA Tour Inquiry

Senate hearing reveals deep concerns about the potential PGA Tour-LIV deal.
Jim Trotter
September 12, 2023

Reporter Jim Trotter Sues NFL, Alleges NFL Owner Made Racist Remark

Trotter alleged Terry Pegula made a "highly offensive and racist" remark.
Michael Irvin
August 31, 2023

Potential Trial in Michael Irvin’s Lawsuit Against Marriott Many Months Off

Irvin returned to the air this week as a contributor on FS1’s “Undisputed”.
Brett Favre sues Shannon Sharpe, Pat McAfee, and Mississippi State Auditor Shad White .
August 29, 2023

Brett Favre’s Attorneys Mount Challenge Over Text Messages in Welfare Funds Lawsuit

Favre is among more than 40 defendants in the civil case.
exclusive
August 28, 2023

Nearly 30 New Subpoenas Seek Communications With Brett Favre

Former NFL player Adalius Thomas among those subpoenaed.
Panini
August 24, 2023

Defiant Panini Is Contesting Early Breakup With NFLPA

Panini seeks arbitration after the NFLPA ended the deal.