• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 13, 2025
Law

Brett Favre to Give First Sworn Testimony in Mississippi Welfare Case

  • The state welfare agency will depose Favre on Dec. 11 as part of its civil case over misspent welfare funds.
  • Earlier this year, Favre’s attorneys said Favre “does not intend to invoke the Fifth Amendment.”
Brett Favre
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Editor’s note: This story was updated after a new deposition date was scheduled.

Brett Favre will give his first testimony over his alleged role in the Mississippi welfare scandal in December.

According to a court filing in the civil case brought by the Mississippi Department of Human Services over millions in misspent welfare funds, the Hall of Fame quarterback will undergo a deposition under oath on Dec. 11.

“Brett Favre better tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, federal criminal defense attorney Matt Tympanick told Front Office Sports. “Otherwise, he can add perjury to his long list of potential charges.”

The deposition was originally scheduled for Oct. 26, but a new filing on Friday set the December date. No explanation was given for the changed date, and a lawyer representing the MDHS declined comment citing the gag order in the case.

Favre has long denied he knew the source of the roughly $8 million that MDHS claims went to him, the University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Foundation, and a drug company where Favre was the largest investor originated from federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds.

In a court filing earlier this year, Favre’s attorneys said their client “does not intend to invoke the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.”

“It would be my advice to invoke it in this matter,” Tympanick said. “Any statement he makes could potentially be used as impeachment evidence in a potential criminal case.”

A court reporter will log Favre’s testimony, although MDHS and some of the more than 40 defendants in the case — including Favre — have sought to keep depositions and other sensitive information under seal as the case progresses to trial. 

A trial date has yet to be set. 

Favre’s legal team sought to get Favre dismissed as a defendant in the case, motions that Hinds County Circuit Court Judge E. Faye Peterson denied. In August, the Mississippi Supreme Court upheld Peterson’s decision to deny Favre’s motion to dismiss. 

Court documents released over the past year have established a connection between Favre and the largest public corruption scandal in Mississippi history, primarily through text messages.

“If you were to pay me, is there anyway [sic] the media can find out where it came from and how much?” Favre wrote in a text to Nancy New in August 2017.

Court filings indicate that Nancy New, the former head of a nonprofit through which the TANF funds were funneled, along with Favre, the Southern Miss Athletic Foundation, and the pharmaceutical company Prevacus, were all connected to the situation.

New, her son, Zach New, and the former head of MDHS, John Davis, pleaded guilty to state and federal charges related to the scheme. The three are also defendants in the MDHS civil case. 

Favre has not faced criminal charges, nor has Jake VanLandingham, the founder of Prevacus. Prevacus, which sought to develop two concussion products, received $1.7 million in TANF funds, according to court filings. 

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

Former University of Southern Mississippi president Rodney Bennett will sit for a deposition on Oct. 31. According to court filings, the Southern Miss Athletic Foundation received $5 million toward a new volleyball center at the school, where Favre’s daughter played the sport at the time. 

Favre also received $1.1 million in speaking fees, appearances he allegedly did not perform. He repaid the money, which also originated from TANF funds.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Explosive Brett Favre Netflix Doc Is Cautionary Tale of Fame

A documentary featuring Jenn Sterger pulls back the curtain on Favre’s misdeeds.
Dec. 18, 1982; New York, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Dolphins quarterback David Woodley (16) is pursued by New York Jets defensive end Mark Gastineau (99) at the Orange Bowl.

Mark Gastineau Sues ESPN for $25 Million, Alleging Deceptive Editing of Favre..

Gastineau is a Pro Football Hall of Famer who played from 1979 to 1988.
Brett Favre and Donald Trump

What Donald Trump’s Win Means for Welfare Probe, Brett Favre

Favre spoke at Trump’s rally last week in Green Bay, Wis.
Brett Favre, House hearing, Sept. 24, 2024

House Republicans Paint Favre As Victim in Welfare Case

Brett Favre discussed the need to reform the federal welfare program.

Featured Today

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Feb 4, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and Toronto Raptors forward Jonathon Mogbo (2) chase after a loose ball during the second half at Scotiabank Arena.

Knicks, Raptors Agree to Drop Suit Over ‘Mole’ Accused of Stealing

The Knicks had sought more than $10 million in damages.
Oct 7, 2018; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) and Miami Dolphins free safety Reshad Jones (20) talk with each other after the Bengals defeated the Dolphins at Paul Brown Stadium.
October 10, 2025

Former Dolphins Safety Lands $9.5M Settlement in Advisor Theft Case

Reshad Jones accused his former financial advisor of stealing almost $2.6 million.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Recording artist Kendrick Lamar performs during the halftime show of Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Ceasars Superdome.
October 10, 2025

Judge Dismisses Drake’s Super Bowl Defamation Suit

The judge said diss tracks aren’t considered facts.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Aug 19, 2022; Delaware, OH, USA; More than 1,700 Olentangy Berlin High School students celebrate being named ‘Most Spirited High School in the Country’ by Varsity Brands. The school celebrated with a pep rally in the auditorium.
October 9, 2025

Varsity Brands, PE Owner Face $200M Suit Claiming Systemic Sexual Abuse

Defendants are accused of a coordinated conspiracy.
Hymie Elhai
October 8, 2025

Jets Say Execs Tried to Sink Team President in Bumbling Conspiracy

The team says thousands of deleted text messages show the plot.
Brian Flores
October 7, 2025

Court Again Rejects NFL Request to Send Flores Case to Arbitration

The NFL has tried to keep the case out of open court.
Dec 2, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans former quarterbacks Mark Sanchez (left) and Matt Leinart watch from the sidelines during the Pac-12 Championship game against the Utah Utes at Allegiant Stadium.
October 6, 2025

Mark Sanchez, Fox Sports Sued Over Alley Fight That Turned Bloody

The high-profile incident took place Saturday night in Indianapolis.