Prior to Aaron Rodgers’s tenure, Green Bay Packers supporters were captivated by the remarkable feats of Brett Favre, who led the team for almost two decades. Following his retirement, Favre continues to attract attention by transitioning to a new role in the media.
Nevertheless, it’s a legal dispute that has recently thrust his name into the spotlight more than his media ventures. Meanwhile, the ex-NFL player faces the prospect of a significant financial loss as a result of a lawsuit filed against him by Shad White, the state auditor of Mississippi.
Brett Favre ordered to refund $730,000 misspent welfare money
A legal storm is brewing around NFL legend Brett Favre as he finds himself embroiled in a long-standing legal dispute with Shad White. The latest demand from White amounts to a staggering $730,000.
Despite repaying $500,000 in May 2020 and an additional $600,000 in October 2021, Favre finds himself still in debt to the tune of $729,790, citing accrued interest on the original sum owed.
Prior to this, the three-time NFL MVP initiated legal action against Shannon Sharpe, Pat McAfee, and White for their alleged defamatory remarks regarding his purported connections to a significant state welfare scandal.
“Shad White, the State Auditor of Mississippi, has carried out an outrageous media campaign of malicious and false accusations against Brett Favre—the Hall of Fame quarterback and native son of Mississippi—in a brazen attempt to leverage the media attention generated by Favre’s celebrity to further his own political career,” the lawsuit says.
In October, a federal judge threw out Brett Favre’s defamation case against Shannon Sharpe, which Sharpe disclosed afterward.
In May, Favre dropped his legal action against sportscaster Pat McAfee. Nevertheless, his defamation suit against Shad White is currently awaiting resolution.
Why did MS Shad White file a countersuit against Brett Favre?
Shad White’s lawsuit originates from allegations that Favre improperly received $1.1 million in speaking fees from a nonprofit organization. These fees were derived from welfare funds approved by the Mississippi Department of Human Services, as reported by Clarion Ledger. The funds were intended to finance the construction of a volleyball arena at the University of Southern Mississippi.
In a press release, White emphasized the need to recover uncollected principal and interest on the $1.1 million that the former NFL player reimbursed after using it for the construction of a volleyball stadium at his alma mater.
In a statement, White revealed the gravity of the situation, expressing disbelief that Favre could justify receiving such a substantial sum of taxpayer money, especially when it was intended to benefit the impoverished.
“It boggles the mind that Mr. Favre could imagine he is entitled to the equivalent of an interest-free loan of $1.1 million in taxpayer money, especially money intended for the benefit of the poor,” White said.
White’s attorneys wrote in the court filing Monday that Favre had no legal entitlement to the $1.1 million.
“Favre had no legal right to the possession or control of this $1.1 Million,” White’s attorneys wrote.
Despite the allegations, Brett Favre has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has not faced criminal charges.
