The Mississippi Department of Human Services is suing Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre and several other people and businesses for allegedly misspending welfare dollars.
According to The Associated Press, the state is hoping to recover millions of misspent welfare dollars and is alleging that Favre and the other defendants “squandered” more than $20 million in money from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
“Our purpose with this suit is to seek justice for the broken trust of the people of Mississippi and recover funds that were misspent,” Attorney General Lynn Fitch and Gov. Tate Reeves said Monday in a joint statement.
The state alleges that Favre, a former University of Southern Mississippi star, received $1.1 million for speaking engagements that he no-showed. Favre, who grew up in Kiln, Mississippi, still lives in the state after his 20-year NFL career.
Favre has reportedly repaid the $1.1 million but not the interest, which state auditor Shad White says is $228,000. Favre wrote on Facebook in October that he didn’t know the money came from welfare funds.
Three former professional wrestlers are also being sued — Brett DiBiase, Ted DiBiase Sr. and Ted “Teddy” DiBiase Jr. The eldest DiBiase was known as “The Million Dollar Man” during his wrestling career.
• This story is based in part on wire service reports.
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