Brett Favre continued to push for funding for the volleyball facility even after he was told it was potentially illegal, according to a new report.

CNN
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A series of text conversations between Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre and former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant appears to show Favre repeatedly pressing the then-governor about Financing the construction of the volleyball facility At the University of Southern Mississippi, even after telling Favre that the misuse of state funds was likely illegal, according to new court filings.

Funding the facility at Favre University was part of an investigation Millions of dollars in public welfare funds that have been mis-spent Inside the Mississippi Department of Human Services, which investigators say was geared toward the personal use of command members and awarded to sons of notable Mississippians like Favre, whose daughter played volleyball at the university at the time.

While Favre has not been criminally charged in the massive social fraud scheme, he is a defendant in a civil lawsuit brought by the state against more than 35 people and entities in an effort to recover some of the funds.

New documents filed Friday in Hind County Court by Bryant’s attorney show Favre texting Bryant multiple times asking if funding for the volleyball complex would be secured. Favre also sent Bryant a text message in July 2019 about funding a high-quality football facility to attract the best recruits, according to registration notes.

“Use this money [is] tight control. Any improper use could result in a violation of federal law,” Bryant texted Favre on July 28, 2019, according to the filing.

“Once we have the approval, we can move forward. The then-governor added, according to the filing, that without this approval, any expenditures could be illegal and Nancy and USM could be paid to repay any and all money spent to the federal government.”

However, Favre continued to pressure the governor, texting him again on September 4, 2019, about the need to fund the facility at the university’s Hattiesburg campus.

“Obviously we need your help a long time and time is working against us. We feel your name is the perfect choice for this facility, and we don’t take no no! You’re a Miss Southern alumni, and people need to know that you’re also a supporter of the university,” Favre texted the governor. , according to the deposit.

Bryant replied, “We’ll get there. That was a great meeting. But we have to follow the law. I am.[o] Age for Federal Prison. [smiley face, sunglasses emoji]According to the deposit.

Bryant’s attorney argued in the filing that the then-governor had consistently denied Favre’s requests. Bryant was not named in the civil lawsuit and was not charged with a criminal offense in connection with the welfare scheme.

CNN contacted Favre’s attorney about the latest filing on Sunday afternoon, but has not received a response. Last week, a former quarterback attorney told CNN Favre, who retired after the 2010 season and a 20-year career in the NFL, he didn’t know that welfare money was being used at the volleyball center and that his fundraising efforts for the facility were honorable.

In addition to the texts between Favre and Bryant, the recording also shows Favre’s text communications with Nancy New, founder of a nonprofit investigator who said he received some wrongly spent money, the Mississippi Community Education Center.

According to a court filing, in a May 2019 text message obtained by Mississippi Today, New Favre told that it was “on board” to pay off Favre’s debt to a volleyball facility funded by Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, the State Welfare Program, and New had discussed the idea with the director of the Department of Services Former Humanitarian John Davis.

Jadeed and her son were convicted for their roles in the scheme that directed money to the volleyball center. Davis Thursday also pleaded guilty to federal and state charges in connection with the extensive fraud scheme.

Bryant’s lawyers argued that the exchange of texts between Bryant and Favre showed that “Governor Bryant did not know what had previously transpired between New, Davis, and Favre in connection with USM Volleyball Center funding” before Favre mentioned their involvement in July 2019.

According to the filing, Bryant was the whistleblower responsible for the state auditor’s investigation into fraud at MDHS, which ultimately He exposed $94 million of mishandled and questionably handled money Under Davis’ supervision, CNN previously reported.

The state auditor said about $77 million of the wrongly spent money was money earmarked for the state’s welfare program, temporary assistance to families in need.