• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Join us May 14 at 1 p.m. ET for Future of Sports: Leagues of Their Own Register Now
Law

Brett Favre ‘Knew’ Mississippi Funds Transfer ‘Was Illegal’

  • Latest court filings allege Favre’s texts show his concerns about alleged role in Mississippi scheme.
  • Favre has denied knowingly obtaining welfare funds, and has filed multiple defamation lawsuits.
Brett Favre texts revealed in latest filing.
Brett Favre played 20 seasons in the NFL. Syndication Usa Today

Brett Favre wrote in a text that the former head of Mississippi’s state welfare program deserved an overpriced Ford pickup.

“Surprise him with a vehicle. … We could get him a Raptor,” Favre wrote in a January 2019 text

There’s no indication Favre paid close to six figures for that truck after John Davis helped to allegedly divert about $8 million to the Hall of Fame’s quarterback and his pet projects.

The Mississippi Department of Human Services — the same agency Davis led — detailed more allegations against Favre in an answer to his motion to dismiss. In the filing. Attorneys for the agency said Favre’s texts revealed he knew the scheme was “illegal.” 

Front Office Sports has previously reported on Favre’s ties to the welfare money and whether he knew the funds were from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), a federal program aimed at helping families living well below the poverty line. 

Favre has denied knowingly obtaining welfare funds and has filed defamation lawsuits against Shannon Sharpe and Pat McAfee in an attempt to clear his name. Sharpe’s case was removed to federal court from a Mississippi county court on Monday.

But the latest text messages released likely won’t help Fave heal his image that led to several brands and media companies to pause deals with the former Green Bay Packers great.

“Will the public perception be that I became a spokesperson for various state-funded shelters, schools, homes, etc….and was compensated with state money? Or can we keep this confidential” Favre asked Nancy New. 

New’s non-profit organization acted as the dispensary of millions of misappropriated welfare funds taken from MDHS and handed out to companies and individuals that weren’t entitled to the money. 

New and Davis have pleaded guilty to state and federal criminal charges for their roles in the scheme. Both agreed to cooperate with investigators as part of their plea agreements. 

Davis’ texts were not among the images that appeared as part of the filings since MDHS lawyers have been unable to obtain discovery from him. Favre has only provided 22 pages of discovery and called Favre’s latest motion to dismiss “a long press release.”

TANF funds can’t be used for brick-and-mortar construction. However, MDHS alleged Favre “sought to secretly obtain those funds for that purpose anyway” after he entered into a handshake deal with USM Athletic Foundation to build the volleyball center in April 2017. Favre’s daughter played the sport at the school at the time. 

The $5 million was accepted by the USM Athletic Foundation, which is also a defendant in the lawsuit. In a previously released text from July 2017 as part of the civil case, Favre wrote that then-USM Jon Gilbert was “very Leary [sic] of accepting such a large grant.”

After the speeches and the USM volleyball complex, a pharmaceutical company Favre backed also got some help via Davis and New.

“I believe if it’s possible she and John Davis would use federal grant money for Prevacus,” Favre said in a December 2018 text to Jake Vanlandingham, the president of Prevacus.

Prevacus was developing an inhalable concussion treatment and, later, a cream that would aim to prevent concussions. Neither came to market, and the testing on the cream led to the deaths of multiple dogs.

Favre invested over $250,000 in the now-defunct company and was Prevacus’ largest shareholder. With Favre’s lobbying, Prevacus received $1.7 million in TANF funds that flowed similarly to his speeches and the volleyball center. 

And as far as that expensive truck, Davis wouldn’t have any use for it anyway. He has home detention as he awaits sentencing in federal court. He’s been sentenced to 32 years in prison in state court already. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Fat Perez reacts after hitting his shot on the 16th tee during the WHOOP Shot at Glory on the 16th hole at TPC in Scottsdale on Feb. 5, 2025.

Golf Influencers Are the New Currency for PGA Tour and LIV

YouTube golf is big business. The rival tours are staging formal events.
Feb 8, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson talks with New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11), forward Mikal Bridges (25), and guard Josh Hart (3) during a timeout in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden.

Before the Villanova Knicks, There Were the Kentucky Celtics

Three decades ago, Boston tried its own version of the college-teammate experiment.
Mar 22, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Joao Fonseca (BRZ) reacts after winning a point against Ugo Humbert (FRA)(not pictured) on day five of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.

João Fonseca Is a Teen Tennis Phenom. His Parents Are Overseeing His..

The Brazilian is forgoing a management team in favor of his parents.
Athlos

Nike Wants to Pull Off the First Women’s Sub-4:00 Mile

Experts speak on whether Nike’s “moonshot” is realistic or a gimmick.

Featured Today

Apr 12, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; MLB umpire Ron Kulpa (46) calls a third strike during a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field

Pro Refs Get Offered Free Lasik for Better Calls. Some Took It

Some pro officials have sprung for the offer for free corrective surgery.
Mint juelps
May 3, 2025

Inside the 120,000-Cup Mint Julep Frenzy of Kentucky Derby Weekend

The official cocktail at Churchill Downs costs $22—or $5,000.
May 1, 2025

How Larry Collmus Became the Longest-Running Kentucky Derby Caller

Collmus will call his 15th straight Derby on NBC.
Apr 25, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium
April 30, 2025

The Pirates Are Struggling, But Paul Skenes Fever Is Still Spreading

The 22-year-old pitcher is (finally) giving Pittsburgh something to cheer for.
Adam Silver

NFL Attempts to Aid NBA in Video Privacy Lawsuit

The NBA is being accused of unlawfully sharing user data with Facebook. 
UC Davis Baseball
May 2, 2025

NCAA Baseball Coaches Get Preliminary Approval in ‘Wage Fix’ Case

The baseball coaches are expected to be paid an average of roughly $33,000.
Dec 17, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Floyd Mayweather Jr. during the 1st quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup championship game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Milwaukee Bucks at T-Mobile Arena.
May 2, 2025

Floyd Mayweather Jr. Hits Business Insider With $100M Defamation Suit

The suit seeks at least $100 million and a public retraction of the reporting.
Sponsored

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

Portfolio Players is our bi-weekly spotlight on the athletes and investors reshaping the business of sports. This week, venture capitalist Kai Cunningham unpacks why athletes land top deals and how the usual investing rules don’t always apply.
Apr 6, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; A general overall view of the opening tipoff between UConn Huskies forward Sarah Strong (left) and South Carolina Gamecocks forward Chloe Kitts at midcourt on the Final Four logo during the national championship of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament at Amalie Arena.
April 30, 2025

House v. NCAA Settlement Has a Little-Known Federal Lobbying Provision

It would effectively muzzle plaintiff lawyers in Congressional debates.
Asinga
April 29, 2025

Teen Sprinter’s Suit Against Gatorade Dismissed In Ruling Judge Admits Is ‘Unsatisfying’ 

Issam Asinga blames Gatorade gummies for a positive drug test.
April 28, 2025

Fox Sports Fires FS1 Exec Charlie Dixon

Dixon was named in two separate lawsuits in January.
Feb 16, 2013; Lawrence, KS, USA; Former Kansas Jayhawks guard Mario Chalmers talks to the crowd as his jersey is retired during halftime of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Allen Fieldhouse.
April 28, 2025

In Major Win for NCAA, Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Seeking NIL Damages

It’s a major win for the NCAA, which faces a group of similar lawsuits.