Brett Favre petitions Mississippi Supreme Court to dismiss civil case against him

Brett Favre continues his attempt to dismiss a civil case against him in a Mississippi welfare scandal. The former NFL quarterback recently petitioned the Mississippi Supreme Court to be dismissed from the case, per a report.

ESPN reported on Favre’s request. The civil lawsuit aims to “recover millions of dollars of misspent welfare money meant to help some of the neediest people in the United States.”

In April, Hinds County Circuit Judge Faye Peterson denied Favre’s request. Now, the former Green Bay Packers star asks the Mississippi Supreme Court to overrule her decision.

The civil suit named more than 12 defendants in the case.

The lawsuit comes from the Mississippi Department of Human Services. It claims that money from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program was improperly distributed.

Among the claims, it’s alleged that $5 million went towards a volleyball arena at the University of Southern Mississippi — where Favre’s daughter played. An additional $1.7 million went towards the development on a drug for concussion treatment.

Favre’s attorneys claim that the Mississippi Department of Human Services made “utterly meritless” allegations against the former quarterback.

At this time, Favre does not face any criminal charges.

Favre responded to welfare scandal in October 2022

When reports of the alleged welfare scandal first surfaced, Favre released a statement. He denied any wrongdoing in the ordeal.

“I have been unjustly smeared in the media,” Favre said in his statement. “I have done nothing wrong, and it is past time to set the record straight.

“No one ever told me, and I did not know, that funds designated for welfare recipients were going to the University or me. I tried to help my alma mater USM, a public Mississippi state university, raise funds for a wellness center. My goal was and always will be to improve the athletic facilities at my university.”

Favre says he believed the funds were used legally. It’s also alleged that Favre received more than $1 million for speaking engagements that never happened.

“I was told that the legal work to ensure that these funds could be accepted by the university was done by State attorneys and State employees.

“After I found out the money I was paid for fundraising radio spots came from federal welfare funds, I returned all of it.”