Brett Favre responds to Mississippi welfare scandal: 'I have done nothing wrong'
Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre has broken his silence on allegations that he was involved in the misuse of Mississippi welfare funds. Favre was at the center of a scandal that claimed he helped facilitate the misuse of government money designated for welfare projects, instead having the money used to build a volleyball wellness center at the University of Southern Mississippi where his daughter played volleyball.
Favre released a statement via Fox News that he has “done nothing wrong” and was looking to set the record straight about his involvement in the scandal.
Brett Favre addresses welfare misuse scandal
“I have been unjustly smeared in the media,” Favre said in his statement. “I have done nothing wrong, and it is past time to set the record straight.
“No one ever told me, and I did not know, that funds designated for welfare recipients were going to the University or me. I tried to help my alma mater USM, a public Mississippi state university, raise funds for a wellness center. My goal was and always will be to improve the athletic facilities at my university.”
Favre went on to clarify that although he was fully aware that the money was coming from the state, he was ensured that the money would be legally used and was not in violation of any laws. Additionally, the investigation into the state’s misuse of funding revealed that Favre had been paid $1.1 million by the state for “speaking appearances” that were never made by the NFL legend.
Favre clarified that the payments were for fundraising radio advertisements, not actual speaking engagements, and that he had already returned all of the money he was paid upon learning that the money came from federal welfare programs.
“I was told that the legal work to ensure that these funds could be accepted by the university was done by State attorneys and State employees.
“After I found out the money I was paid for fundraising radio spots came from federal welfare funds, I returned all of it.”
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Although the money was returned in full by Favre, the state is still in the process of suing him for the loss of interest on the funds he received. Favre became the heated focal point of the public’s knowledge about the scandal after text messages revealed his involvement earlier this year. Favre had sent text messages indicating that he was concerned about people finding out where the money he was helping USM receive came from.
Favre’s lawyer also addressed these allegations, stating that Favre was concerned no more than any public celebrity about keeping his income sources private — not that he was aware the money came from welfare funding.