• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Law

Judge in Mississippi Welfare Case Boots Brett Favre’s Lead Lawyer

  • The judge revoked the attorney’s admission to practice law in the case.
  • She wrote that Koevary had a ‘pattern and practice of delicate deception.’
The Mississippi Department of Human Services on Monday sued retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre along with several other people and businesses to try to recover millions of misspent welfare dollars that were intended to help some of the poorest people in the U.S.
Xxx 0807 Clemson Practice 28 Jpg S Bbc Usa Sc

In a scathing order handed down by a Mississippi judge, Brett Favre’s lead defense lawyer has lost the ability to represent the Hall of Fame quarterback.

Hinds County Circuit Court Judge E. Faye Peterson, who is presiding over the lawsuit to recover millions in misspent welfare funds, wrote that multiple recent filings by Favre’s legal team have had a “pattern and practice of delicate deception with ongoing misapplication of this State’s case law.” 

In her Thursday order, she revoked New York–based attorney Daniel Koevary’s admission to practice law in the case, and she demanded Koevary pay “costs and expenses” for the motions within 10 days. 

“The most recent actions and filings by counsel appear to have been designed to be dilatory and not necessary for the representation of his client,” Peterson wrote. “The motions presented herein were deliberately and tacitly designed to undermine the authority of the Court and demonstrate either a misunderstanding of the proper procedures and processes of the rules and the laws of the State of Mississippi or an effort to manufacture issues with the Judiciary.”
A message from Front Office Sports left with Koevary, who Peterson described as Favre’s “lead defense counsel,” was not immediately returned.

Peterson listed four motions filed by Favre’s defense team since May 20, which included a motion to vacate her order that mandated in-camera reviews. (These allow judges to evaluate sensitive information in private to determine whether the evidence should be used in the case.) Favre’s legal team has also requested multiple hearings “for matters unrelated to and not within the jurisdiction of this Court to resolve” in an “attempt to manufacture discord,” Peterson wrote. 

Favre is among more than 40 defendants in the Mississippi Department of Human Services’ lawsuit. Favre has denied any wrongdoing, and he has not been charged criminally. 

According to court documents, Favre is linked to about $8 million of misspent federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. 

  • Favre received $1.1 million in TANF funds from the state welfare department to make speeches and radio spots. According to court records, he recorded only one radio PSA that spanned less than 30 seconds. He has since repaid principal, although Mississippi State Auditor Shad White is seeking more than $700,000 in unpaid interest.
  • Favre had a handshake promise to cover the costs of a volleyball arena at the University of Southern Mississippi. Instead, the USM Athletic Foundation received $5 million in TANF funds after Favre allegedly lobbied state officials and the head of a nonprofit to cover the costs of construction.
  • About $2 million in TANF funds were allegedly funneled to Prevacus, a pharma company Favre was associated with that sought to develop two concussion treatments that never went to market. Favre was the largest investor in the company, according to an MDHS court filing.
  • Favre also allegedly sought another $1.5 million to build an indoor football facility at Southern Miss to recruit Deion Sanders’s son. That project was not funded. 

Going forward, Peterson ordered that all future pleading on Favre’s behalf be “filed by local counsel and signed-off by local counsel.” Favre’s legal team includes Eric Herschmann, who worked as White House adviser to then President Donald Trump. Hattiesburg-based Michael J. Shemper is among Favre’s Mississippi attorneys. 

In another ruling Thursday, Peterson granted Favre’s motion to review an audit generated by an accountancy firm hired by Mississippi to examine the welfare scandal. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 13, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announces the pick for the Athletics pick during the MLB Draft at The Coca-Cola Roxy.

Manfred Says MLB Had Wrong Approach to Creators Like Jomboy

“You gotta go where people are going,” the commissioner said.
(NCL_OSU_11_SUGAR_LAURON 04JAN11) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) slips around the Arkansas Razorbacks defense during first half of the Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, January 4, 2011.

Terrelle Pryor’s Case for NIL Backpay Dismissed in Court

Pryor played seven years in the NFL after leaving OSU amid a scandal.

Featured Today

Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Princeton

Transgender Sprinter Sues Princeton Over Last-Minute Ban

The sprinter was removed 15 minutes before her race.
Caster Semenya
July 10, 2025

Caster Semenya’s Legal Win Could Reopen Fight Against Testosterone Limits

The Olympian champion’s appeal against gender eligibility rules continues.
July 16, 2025

Judge Rules for NFL, Fanatics Against Small Apparel Seller

The lawsuit argued the NFL “aids and abets” Fanatics with its strategy.
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
A set of trading cards
July 9, 2025

Judge Rules Against Fanatics as Panini Case Gets Rancorous

A judge ordered Fanatics to turn over unredacted trading card licenses.
May 9, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Sports are shown on TVs behind the bar as guests enjoy the grand opening of DraftKings Sports & Social in the Short North. Though there are no on-site betting windows, eligible customers can place bets through the DraftKings app.
July 3, 2025

PrizePicks Drops Suit Against Ex-Employee Who Left for DraftKings

The ex-employee still disputes the allegations.
Wander Franco
June 26, 2025

Wander Franco Convicted of Child Sex Abuse, Receives 2-Year Suspended Sentence

Franco can avoid jail time but is unlikely to return to MLB.
Wimbledon
June 25, 2025

Players Suing Tennis Begin Negotiations With Grand Slams

They may add the Slams as defendants if talks fail in 90 days.