• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Law

Mississippi Supreme Court Denies Brett Favre’s Appeal

  • A three-judge panel declined Favre’s appeal petition over lower court’s ruling in welfare funds case.
  • Favre will remain a defendant in the lawsuit along with more than 40 others.
Brett Favre sues Shannon Sharpe, Pat McAfee, and Mississippi State Auditor Shad White .
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

CORRECTION: Ted M. DiBiase Jr. was indicted for his alleged role in the scheme. A previous version of this story misstated the status of the criminal proceedings against DiBiase.

Brett Favre remains a defendant in a massive lawsuit over millions of misspent welfare funds as a three-judge Mississippi Supreme Court panel denied his appeal petition. 

Favre filed the appeal in May after the judge in the civil case brought by the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) declined to dismiss the Hall of Fame quarterback as one of the more than 40 defendants. 

“After due consideration, the panel finds the petition for interlocutory appeal should be denied,” Mississippi Supreme Court Associate Justice James D. Maxwell II wrote in the one-page order filed on Wednesday.

The appeals petition honed in on two primary allegations in the case, which centered around Favre’s involvement in the disbursement of about $7 million of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds — federal money designed to support families in extreme need.

The funds allegedly were funneled to MDHS through a non-profit and to two projects Favre was involved in at the time. 

Favre allegedly lobbied for $5 million in funding to build a volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Foundation, a project MDHS claims Favre offered to back himself in a 2017 handshake agreement. Favre is a Southern Miss alum, and his daughter played the sport at the school at the time. 

“The claim that Favre made any such oral ‘handshake’ agreement is negated by official contemporaneous records, and MDHS itself admits that a large portion of the transferred funds it seeks to recover from Favre was used for purposes other than the center,” his lawyers wrote in the appeals petition. “In any event, MDHS’s legal arguments are utterly meritless. “

In January 2019, Favre allegedly held a meeting at his house as part of a sales pitch for Prevacus, a pharmaceutical company where Favre was the largest single investor. Prevacus later allegedly received $1.7 million of TANF funds.

“MDHS does not allege that Favre had any authority to direct or approve the funds’ use or that he was aware that the Prevacus transaction involved TANF funds,” Favre’s lawyers wrote. 

The head of John Davis, the former director of MDHS, two non-profit leaders (Nancy New and her son, Zach New), have pleaded guilty to criminal charges over the scheme. Ted M. DiBiase Jr. was also indicted earlier this year. All four attended the 2019 meeting at Favre’s house. 

Favre and Prevacus founder Jake VanLandingham, who was also at the meeting, have not been charged. Favre has denied knowing that the money came from TANF funds. 

Favre paid back the $1.1 million in welfare funds for speaking engagements he did not perform.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

July 9, 2009; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars during the press conference to introduce their new head coach John Kuester at their practice facility.

Joe Dumars Leaving NBA League Office to Run Pelicans

Joe Dumars was the architect of the 2004 champion Pistons.

Explosive Brett Favre Netflix Doc Is Cautionary Tale of Fame

A documentary featuring Jenn Sterger pulls back the curtain on Favre’s misdeeds.
Mar 20, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Karter Knox (11) controls the ball against Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at Amica Mutual Pavilion.

Men’s March Madness Sets Opening-Day Viewership Record

CBS Sports and TNT Sports scored big with Arkansas–Kansas.
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.

Featured Today

Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field
June 21, 2025

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.
June 15, 2025

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Dec 24, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up before the game between the Browns and the New Orleans Saints at FirstEnergy Stadium

Unearthed NFL Arbitration Ruling Raises More Questions Than Answers

The NFL was cleared of collusion, but new questions have emerged.
Jun 23, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park.
June 24, 2025

Tatis Sues Big League Advance for ‘Predatory’ Future Earnings Deal

Tatis would owe $34 million from his current deal alone.
Apr 24, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of game three in the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome.
June 24, 2025

James Harden Sued for Negligence in Sexual Assault Case

Harden hosted the party where the alleged incident happened.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Jul 7, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson (28) react after striking out during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Yankee Stadium.
June 23, 2025

Former Yankee Josh Donaldson Wins $222K in Lawsuit Against Landlord

Donaldson played the 2022 and 2023 seasons for the Yankees.
Jun 8, 2025; Brooklyn, Michigan, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates with his team, holding up three fingers, one for each of his victories at Michigan International Speedway, after winning the FireKeepers Casino 400.
June 18, 2025

Judge Urges Michael Jordan, Co-Plaintiffs to Settle With NASCAR

Jordan’s racing team filed a co-suit in October alleging antitrust practices.
Ippei Mizuhara
June 17, 2025

Ohtani’s Ex-Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara Reports to Prison After Delays

Mizuhara’s 57-month sentence was supposed to begin in March.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome.
June 17, 2025

Former Chiefs Employee Sues for Racial Discrimination

Ramzee Robinson says the Chiefs paid Black employees less than white ones.