“That’s what makes him an All-American” – Bomani Jones brings Brett Favre controversy back into the spotlight
Brett Favre has recently been the target of much public criticism for his alleged involvement in the high-profile Mississippi welfare scandal case. He is accused of being involved in the largest corruption case in the state's history, which featured a misappropriation of around $77 million of public funding.
Favre has denied most of what he's being accused of and is not currently facing any criminal charges. However, the allegations and evidence against him are rather shocking, to say the least. He has been intensely criticized by media outlets and fans since the story surfaced and this has continued as more details have emerged over time.
Bomani Jones recently shared a hot take about the controversial situation during an episode of his "Game Theory" show on HBO:
"In this country, you slip on that Hall of Fame jacket, it's pretty easy to overlook everything else. Because what truly makes Brett Favre, 'Brett Favre,' is that he can get access to money that was supposed to go to poor people in the poorest state in the country.
"And the only fallout is that his Sirius XM radio show gets temporarily suspended. Being good at football made Brett Favre an All-Pro, but suffering zero consequences for despicable actions? That's what makes him an All-American."
What’s the fallout from the Brett Favre welfare scandal? Absolutely nothing-- unless you are a fan of SiriusXM Radio https://t.co/TJXs86Ljd9
Bomani Jones is baffled that Favre isn't receiving a harsher penalty for his apparent involvement, despite the evidence that has been presented against him.
Brett Favre's alleged involvement in the Mississippi welfare scandal
The Mississippi Department of Human Services filed a lawsuit that would require Favre to pay back $1.1 million in misappropriated funds. In an audit, it was determined that Favre was paid for appearances and speeches that he never made. He has reportedly paid back the initial payments, but still owes more than $200,000 in interest.
An additional $5 million demand was added for Favre's alleged role in improperly receiving funds from the Mississippi Community Education Center (MCEC). This was to construct a volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi, his alma mater. His daughter also played volleyball for the university. Favre was one of 38 different defendants in the lawsuit for this allegation.
Favre and his attorneys denied their involvement. However, later text messages between him and Nancy New, the MCEC founder, were released during an investigation that linked him directly to the scandal.
Brett Favre: Will the media find out that we're using welfare funds intended to help the poorest residents of America's poorest state to build a volleyball center?
Nancy New: Nah. Oh yeah, the governor is fully on board!
@ayewolfe five years later:
mississippitoday.org/2022/09/13/phi… https://t.co/wo3QuIYXaY
It was also uncovered that Brett Favre was lobbying Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant to approve the funding for a new football facility at the same university. It was apparently an attempt to lure Shakeur Sanders, the son of Deion Sanders, to the university to play football. Bryant's lawyer claimed Favre continuously pushed for more illegal funding.
Further contributing to Favre's alleged guilt are tax records in relation to his charity Favre 4 Hope. Records showed that he illegally funneled more than $100,000 to the University of Southern Mississippi rather than the legitimate causes they were officially supporting. He is also one of the top investors in a pharmaceutical company that received more than $2 million from the same scandal.
As I have said before, I would never accept money for no-show appearances, as the state of Mississippi auditor, @ShadWhite, claims.
I am doing all that I can to support this investigation to make things right for the people of Mississippi and I have shared all that I know, which is that I was paid for three years of commercials that I did, and I paid taxes on the money, as I should.
Brett Favre has consistently denied many of the allegations against him along the way, despite the massive pile of evidence that he was a part of it. He is still yet to be charged criminally over any of the allegations.