Brett Favre Linked to Welfare Scandal, Possible Charges

A plea deal with federal and state prosecutors is the latest twist in a scandal that could have major implications for Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre. 

John Davis, the former director of Mississippi’s Department of Human Services, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court for his role in the misappropriation of more than $70 million in welfare funds. 

According to court documents and sources with knowledge of the matter, Favre is linked to around $8 million of funds earmarked for needy families in Mississippi — a state with the highest poverty rate in the nation. 

A source with knowledge of the investigation told Front Office Sports that Favre has been on investigators’ radar for months, while the legendary QB’s attorney has claimed his client didn’t know he was accepting money from welfare funds. 

• Favre received $1.1 million for speaking engagements between 2017 and 2019 that he allegedly didn’t perform. He repaid it, but reportedly still owes about $228,000 in interest. 
• Former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and others allegedly helped secure $5 million in welfare funds in 2019 for a volleyball center at the University of Southern Mississippi, with help by Favre — whose daughter played the sport there.
• Prevacus, a pharma startup backed by Favre, received more than $2 million. 

What Favre Could Face

“If Favre gets indicted — and I expect he will be — one of the counts will surely be wire fraud,” said Matt Tympanick, a veteran federal criminal defense attorney.