OT: Looks like Brett Favre is in Deep Sh-t.

[Mr. Potter]

Apparently a welfare scam to the tune of $1 mill.

'Santa came today': Brett Favre texts show his role in Mississippi welfare scandal

Brett Favre's texts show he may have been more involved than previously known in pushing for millions in welfare money to pay for a volleyball facility at his daughter's school.

www.aol.com

 

[Woodpecker]

Yep

 

[BobPSU92]

I’m sure it’s all just a misunderstanding.

 

[Ceasar]

I don't see Favre having a problem. He is a private citizen, lobbying his government for funding for a project he is interested in. Why should he, as a private citizen, be required to investigate where the funds are coming from, what revenue stream, etc... That is the job of government and it sounds like the officials who were responsible have plead guilty to crimes.
Don't get me wrong, this is extremely sleezy and it is why people have so little faith in government. The only thing that is different here is, I am unclear what was in it for the Governor(s) and officials who signed off. Usually they provide "benefits" to their political supporters in exchange for campaign $. Not sure if Favre was a donor or they just wanted to rub elbows with a former NFL star.

 

[BobPSU92]

I don't see Favre having a problem. He is a private citizen, lobbying his government for funding for a project he is interested in. Why should he, as a private citizen, be required to investigate where the funds are coming from, what revenue stream, etc... That is the job of government and it sounds like the officials who were responsible have plead guilty to crimes.
Don't get me wrong, this is extremely sleezy and it is why people have so little faith in government. The only thing that is different here is, I am unclear what was in it for the Governor(s) and officials who signed off. Usually they provide "benefits" to their political supporters in exchange for campaign $. Not sure if Favre was a donor or they just wanted to rub elbows with a former NFL star.

From the linked article:

”The messages, released in a court filing this week, also reveal that Favre sought reassurances from a nonprofit executive that the public would never learn he was seeking millions of dollars in grants that ultimately came from the Mississippi welfare agency.”

 

[PSU12046]

From the linked article:

”The messages, released in a court filing this week, also reveal that Favre sought reassurances from a nonprofit executive that the public would never learn he was seeking millions of dollars in grants that ultimately came from the Mississippi welfare agency.”

Ooopsies!

 

[razpsu]

This was for a school? Did he personally take the money for himself? He paid 1.1 million back? Why did he pay? I laughed at the 220k interest part. Do the poor have to pay interest as well? Lol.

 

[TheBigUglies]

I will reserve judgement from the sensationalizing news media and let the facts play out. If Favre is guilty of a crime then charge him. If Favre is guilty of milking gov't coffers but committed no crime, then let society judge him as they wish. I my world, I really don't give a rats arse and refuse to get outraged over it.

 

[BobPSU92]

I will reserve judgement from the sensationalizing news media and let the facts play out.

I don’t get it.

 

[Nitt1300]

This was for a school? Did he personally take the money for himself? He paid 1.1 million back? Why did he pay? I laughed at the 220k interest part. Do the poor have to pay interest as well? Lol.

interest on money somebody else stole? why would they?

 

[Midnighter]

I don't see Favre having a problem. He is a private citizen, lobbying his government for funding for a project he is interested in. Why should he, as a private citizen, be required to investigate where the funds are coming from, what revenue stream, etc... That is the job of government and it sounds like the officials who were responsible have plead guilty to crimes.
Don't get me wrong, this is extremely sleezy and it is why people have so little faith in government. The only thing that is different here is, I am unclear what was in it for the Governor(s) and officials who signed off. Usually they provide "benefits" to their political supporters in exchange for campaign $. Not sure if Favre was a donor or they just wanted to rub elbows with a former NFL star.

As often as we almost fully disagree, I agree with you here. I think Favre was misled by true fraud experts about where money was coming from. To him, he’s doing something (ads) to get the money which he then diverted to the school. Sounds like there was/is a massive scandal involving these funds and this is just the biggest name attached. My guess is these politicians/non-profit leads have been doing this for years and it was a way to gain favor with a renowned Mississippi celebrity.

 

[Ceasar]

From the linked article:

”The messages, released in a court filing this week, also reveal that Favre sought reassurances from a nonprofit executive that the public would never learn he was seeking millions of dollars in grants that ultimately came from the Mississippi welfare agency.”

That is what I mean when I say it is sleazy. Favre knew it would be a bad look. But my point is, he is a private citizen and has every right to lobby his government for funding and also has the right to try to keep his name out of it. But yes, he knew it was a bad look.

 

[Ceasar]

As often as we almost fully disagree, I agree with you here. I think Favre was misled by true fraud experts about where money was coming from. To him, he’s doing something (ads) to get the money which he then diverted to the school. Sounds like there was/is a massive scandal involving these funds and this is just the biggest name attached. My guess is these politicians/non-profit leads have been doing this for years and it was a way to gain favor with a renowned Mississippi celebrity.

Midnighter, we often disagree? I honestly never noticed but I have always enjoyed your posts as you are an independent thinker, which I love! So it's all good my friend.

 

[Midnighter]

Midnighter, we often disagree? I honestly never noticed but I have always enjoyed your posts as you are an independent thinker, which I love! So it's all good my friend.

Hmmm…. Maybe not? Anyway, we agree here!

 

[LaJollaCreek]

As often as we almost fully disagree, I agree with you here. I think Favre was misled by true fraud experts about where money was coming from. To him, he’s doing something (ads) to get the money which he then diverted to the school. Sounds like there was/is a massive scandal involving these funds and this is just the biggest name attached. My guess is these politicians/non-profit leads have been doing this for years and it was a way to gain favor with a renowned Mississippi celebrity.

Not Favre, he's a genius. It's Mississippi, it's to be expected that that the wealthy rip off the less fortunate. Sad this crap still goes on, really is.

 

[Midnighter]

Not Favre, he's a genius. It's Mississippi, it's to be expected that that the wealthy rip off the less fortunate. Sad this crap still goes on, really is.

Yeah, he’s not bright enough to know he’s ripping off poor people. But the head of the agency and the non-profit lead were absolutely knowledgeable about the source of the funds and more than giddy to misappropriate them. And people wonder why Mississippi is the way it is…

 

[bbrown]

Apparently a welfare scam to the tune of $1 mill.

'Santa came today': Brett Favre texts show his role in Mississippi welfare scandal

Brett Favre's texts show he may have been more involved than previously known in pushing for millions in welfare money to pay for a volleyball facility at his daughter's school.

www.aol.com

He's a complete P.O.S.

 

[nittanymoops]

The $1.1 million was money paid to Favre for appearances he did not make. He repaid first $500k after a year or two, and then 600k some time later. I don't know where they got the interest total, but it was for 3-4 years. If I was Favre I'd send them a check pronto. He's in deep PR trouble, but no clear fraud against Mississippi -- yet pending investigation with the FBI now involved.

He and the prior governor, Phil Bryant (also USM alum), also were pushing to use funds for the poor to build a volleyball palace at USM where Favre's daughter played. This tricky thing here is that the TANF funds are NOT supposed to be used for BUILDING things, any brick and mortar. It appears (to me) that the money was laundered through the Mississippi agency supposedly working to aid those in poverty there and instead spent on Favre's (no-show) "appearances" and also another $8 million on the volleyball complex at USM.

Favre isn't the only sports personality caught in this. I believe three WWE/professional wrestlers are entangled in this as well. Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiasi and two sons IIRC. Favre and the DiBiasi's have been sued for repayment by the Mississippi AG.

The head of the welfare agency and her son have pleaded guilty and agreed to testify for the state. One of the DiBiasi's has pleaded guilty and is making restitution as well. IIRC, the welfare money was used to pay for a DiBiasi's son's stay in a Malibu, Calif., drug rehab facility.

IMO, this is brazen misbehavior. It may not be criminal, yet, for Favre, but i could easily see it getting there. It's also real easy to see why Mississippi can't pick itself up with public corruption like this. And this is just what is known. This stuff started leaking out in early 2020 and has just gotten worse with each new revelation from the court filings. And it's not like anyone DENIED doing this, it's all "I didn't know" this was money for the poor. As all here know, ignorance isn't a criminal defense as much as George Costanza would like it to be. I think Favre is safe unless Phil Bryant gets dragged under. If that happens, then Brett better start looking for the best lawyers he can afford.

 

[Midnighter]

The $1.1 million was money paid to Favre for appearances he did not make. He repaid first $500k after a year or two, and then 600k some time later. I don't know where they got the interest total, but it was for 3-4 years. If I was Favre I'd send them a check pronto. He's in deep PR trouble, but no clear fraud against Mississippi -- yet pending investigation with the FBI now involved.

He and the prior governor, Phil Bryant (also USM alum), also were pushing to use funds for the poor to build a volleyball palace at USM where Favre's daughter played. This tricky thing here is that the TANF funds are NOT supposed to be used for BUILDING things, any brick and mortar. It appears (to me) that the money was laundered through the Mississippi agency supposedly working to aid those in poverty there and instead spent on Favre's (no-show) "appearances" and also another $8 million on the volleyball complex at USM.

Favre isn't the only sports personality caught in this. I believe three WWE/professional wrestlers are entangled in this as well. Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiasi and two sons IIRC. Favre and the DiBiasi's have been sued for repayment by the Mississippi AG.

The head of the welfare agency and her son have pleaded guilty and agreed to testify for the state. One of the DiBiasi's has pleaded guilty and is making restitution as well. IIRC, the welfare money was used to pay for a DiBiasi's son's stay in a Malibu, Calif., drug rehab facility.

IMO, this is brazen misbehavior. It may not be criminal, yet, for Favre, but i could easily see it getting there. It's also real easy to see why Mississippi can't pick itself up with public corruption like this. And this is just what is known. This stuff started leaking out in early 2020 and has just gotten worse with each new revelation from the court filings. And it's not like anyone DENIED doing this, it's all "I didn't know" this was money for the poor. As all here know, ignorance isn't a criminal defense as much as George Costanza would like it to be. I think Favre is safe unless Phil Bryant gets dragged under. If that happens, then Brett better start looking for the best lawyers he can afford.

I see a version of this that is like, ‘Hey Brett - we might have some public funds that could be used for a volleyball arena.’ ‘Ok - what do I have to do?’ ‘Some ads maybe - we can work it out.’ ‘Ok! But, me taking public funds might not look good - can we ensure no one knows?’ ‘Surrrrreeee…’ ‘Great!’. I can’t imagine it was explicitly explained what the funds were actually for and nothing suggests, so far, that Favre knew. But agree - slimy.

 

[Wow]

That is what I mean when I say it is sleazy. Favre knew it would be a bad look. But my point is, he is a private citizen and has every right to lobby his government for funding and also has the right to try to keep his name out of it. But yes, he knew it was a bad look.

I thought he also took money for appearances where he never showed up.

 

[Connorpozlee]

From the linked article:

”The messages, released in a court filing this week, also reveal that Favre sought reassurances from a nonprofit executive that the public would never learn he was seeking millions of dollars in grants that ultimately came from the Mississippi welfare agency.”

https://gifquotes.com/q/57dab942cd26cd0056d9b80a

 

[ManxomeLion]

The only thing that is different here is, I am unclear what was in it for the Governor(s) and officials who signed off.

Perhaps, taking a cue from the Second Mile playbook, they had "connections" who would get the contracts for the "brick and mortar" facility improvements .

 

[Midnighter]

Sh*t getting real for Favre....

Former State Official's Plea Deal Could Mean Trouble for Brett Favre

Mississippi state official's expected guilty plea on Thursday could be problematic for Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre.

frontofficesports.com

 

[nittanymoops]

The noose be tightening. That said, I'll stand by my earlier comment that the only way Favre goes down is if the former governor is charged. The opposite could also be true, though: Favre sees the writing on the wall and takes down Bryant. Interesting times down south.

 

[LionJim]

The noose be tightening. That said, I'll stand by my earlier comment that the only way Favre goes down is if the former governor is charged. The opposite could also be true, though: Favre sees the writing on the wall and takes down Bryant. Interesting times down south.

I’ve read the original reporting from Mississippi and doubt that Favre is in any legal jeopardy. The people who gave him the money, OTOH…

 

[L.A.Lion]

Favre's legal exposure here is much bigger than receiving from a private nonprofit $1.1 million in federal funds he shouldn't have.

I got one word: Prevacus.

Oh, and one more: conspiracy. Most jurisdictions define the crime of conspiracy as an agreement to commit a crime plus an overt act toward committing the crime. For example, agreeing to rob a bank is not a criminal conspiracy. An agreement to rob a bank followed by one of the conspirators scouting the location of the robbery is, even if they never rob the bank.

MIssissippi has a very interesting conspiracy statute that doesn't require an overt act and even makes some agreements criminal even though the act agreed to is not. The agreement need not be express. In other words, even if the discussions around the agreement are not explicit and crystal clear, a jury can infer from the circumstances, statements, and conduct of the conspirators that they agreed without ever saying "OK, it's agreed that we do this."

One of those potentially non-criminal acts in the Mississippi statute is "any act injurious to the public health, to public morals, trade or commerce, or for the perversion or obstruction of justice, or of the due administration of the laws." MS Code §97-1-1(1)(f).

Neither can one agree in Mississippi "to accomplish * * * a lawful purpose by unlawful means." MS Code §97-1-1(1)(h).

Very interesting, indeed.

Favre has put himself in a far more difficult situation by bringing the distribution of shares in Prevacus into this than he would be had it simply been the misuse of TANF funds by the nonprofit.

If the involvement of retired NFL stars makes run of the mill corruption stories more interesting to you, stay tuned. This one could turn out to be fascinating.

 

[LionJim]

Favre's legal exposure here is much bigger than receiving from a private nonprofit $1.1 million in federal funds he shouldn't have.

I got one word: Prevacus.

Oh, and one more: conspiracy. Most jurisdictions define the crime of conspiracy as an agreement to commit a crime plus an overt act toward committing the crime. For example, agreeing to rob a bank is not a criminal conspiracy. An agreement to rob a bank followed by one of the conspirators scouting the location of the robbery is, even if they never rob the bank.

MIssissippi has a very interesting conspiracy statute that doesn't require an overt act and even makes some agreements criminal even though the act agreed to is not. The agreement need not be express. In other words, even if the discussions around the agreement are not explicit and crystal clear, a jury can infer from the circumstances, statements, and conduct of the conspirators that they agreed without ever saying "OK, it's agreed that we do this."

Very interesting, indeed.

One of those potentially non-criminal acts in the Mississippi statute is "any act injurious to the public health, to public morals, trade or commerce, or for the perversion or obstruction of justice, or of the due administration of the laws." MS Code §97-1-1(1)(f).

Neither can one agree in Mississippi "to accomplish * * * a lawful purpose by unlawful means." MS Code §97-1-1(1)(h).

Favre has put himself in a far more difficult situation by bringing the distribution of shares in Prevacus into this than he would be had it simply been the misuse of TANF funds by the nonprofit.

If the involvement of retired NFL stars makes run of the mill corruption stories more interesting to you, stay tuned. This one could turn out to be fascinating.

Okay. I was going to add that Favre knew or had reason to believe that what the Mississippi state actors were planning to do was illegal. The text messages he sent made this pretty clear, imo. It seems to me that you are coming from a much more knowledgeable place, legally, than I am.

 

[L.A.Lion]

Okay. I was going to add that Favre knew or had reason to believe that what the Mississippi state actors were planning to do was illegal. The text messages he sent made this pretty clear, imo. It seems to me that you are coming from a much more knowledgeable place, legally, than I am.

He could walk away scot-free with nothing more than a little embarrassment that however much of his $144 million career earnings he has left should soothe quite easily.

I don't have all the facts and I am equally clueless as to how his conduct is being viewed by state and federal prosecutors.

I do know that he's made some colossal errors in judgment and for the time being has plenty of reason to be nervous.

 

[PSU12046]

He could walk away scot-free with nothing more than a little embarrassment that however much of his $144 million career earnings he has left should soothe quite easily.

I don't have all the facts and I am equally clueless as to how his conduct is being viewed by state and federal prosecutors.

I do know that he's made some colossal errors in judgment and for the time being has plenty of reason to be nervous.