NFL Corridor of Fame quarterback Brett Favre instructed lawmakers he was lately recognized with Parkinson’s illness as he testified Tuesday earlier than the Home Methods and Means Committee investigating Mississippi’s misuse of welfare funds — a scandal that has tainted the Inexperienced Bay Packers legend after his retirement.
At a listening to titled, “Reforming Non permanent Help for Needy Households (TANF): States’ Misuse of Welfare Funds Leaves Poor Households Behind,” the previous quarterback mentioned state officers “failed to guard federal TANF funds from fraud and abuse” after which tried responsible him.
“When this began, I did not know what TANF was. Now I do know TANF is without doubt one of the nation’s most necessary welfare packages to assist individuals in want,” Favre testified.
Former NFL soccer participant Brett Favre testifies earlier than a Home Committee on Methods and Means in Washington, Sept. 24, 2024.
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Favre, carrying a sportscoat, untucked gown shirt and blue denims, instructed the committee he was lately recognized with Parkinson’s illness.
“I additionally misplaced an funding in an organization that I imagine was creating a breakthrough concussion drug I believed would assist others, and I am positive you may perceive why it is too late for me, as a result of I lately been recognized with Parkinson’s,” Favre revealed.
Favre, 54, mentioned he’s underneath a gag order that forestalls him from discussing the small print of the case. He has not been criminally charged however faces a civil lawsuit stemming from his advocacy to state officers to acquire federal TANF funds.
No less than $77 million in TANF funds, alleged to be given to poor households, have been as an alternative given to wealthy individuals, in accordance with a Mississippi state audit, ESPN reported.
“I imagine that I bought swept up in a civil lawsuit on the instigation of a state auditor shading an bold public official who determined he was decided to tarnish my fame to attempt to advance his personal political profession,” Favre mentioned.
Methods and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., mentioned TANF has been “undermined by rampant waste, fraud, and abuse” — leaving fewer companies for individuals who actually need them.
“However everyone knows this downside just isn’t restricted to Mississippi,” Smith mentioned, pointing at California and Michigan as extra examples. “How huge an issue is it? What’s the charge of improper funds? Nobody is aware of, as a result of the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Companies has by no means reported a charge of improper cost. Collectively, this lack of federal protections has created the right storm for waste, fraud and abuse.”
Retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre participates in a query and reply session at a fundraiser for Willowood Developmental Heart, a facility that gives coaching and help for particular wants college students, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018 in Jackson, Miss.
Rogelio V. Solis/AP, FILE
Smith defined that Favre’s testimony “may also help shed extra gentle on the necessity to pursue reforms to states’ capability to spend TANF.”
“We sit up for listening to his insights into how weak federal oversight and self-dealing state officers contributed to Mississippi’s case,” Smith mentioned. “He noticed how embezzlement and mismanagement damage the individuals whom welfare is meant to assist. Thanks for coming right here and utilizing your title and platform to attract consideration to the necessity for stronger federal safeguards in TANF spending to make sure what occurred in Mississippi does not occur once more.”
Lawmakers have been anticipated to press Favre about his efforts to assist fund a volleyball facility at his alma mater, the College of Southern Mississippi, the place his daughter was a student-athlete, in addition to Prevacus, an organization creating a concussion drug the place Favre had invested substantial capital.
Textual content messages made public in authorized filings present Favre pushed state officers for funding for the volleyball facility throughout the time his daughter was on the workforce. The college’s athletic basis acquired $5 million in TANF funds. Favre donated $1.4 million of his personal cash to assemble the ability, ESPN reported.
“I wished to assist my alma mater and profit the neighborhood,” Favre testified. “I had no means of understanding that there was something fallacious with how the state funded the undertaking, particularly because it was publicly accepted by many state companies and a number of attorneys, together with the lawyer basic.”
Favre was additionally paid $1.1 million from TANF funds for speeches the state auditor mentioned Favre by no means made. He paid that cash again, however the auditor has demanded he additionally pay $228,000 in curiosity, in accordance with ESPN.
“Importantly, I’ve realized that no person was or is watching how TANF funds are spent,” Favre mentioned. “I urge Congress put down guardrails in place to make sure that what occurred in Mississippi does not occur once more.”
Favre was inducted into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2016 after a 20-year profession with the Falcons, Packers, Jets and Vikings. He constructed his legend in 16 years in Inexperienced Bay, profitable three straight MVPs from 1995-1997. He completed prime 5 in MVP voting 4 different occasions as nicely.
He owned the profession report for many passing yards and most touchdowns when he retired, although Tom Brady now holds each marks. Famously referred to as a gunslinger on the QB place, he nonetheless holds the ignominious report for many profession interceptions. He was additionally famously sturdy in his profession, holding the report for many consecutive begins (297).
He received his lone Tremendous Bowl title in January 1997 with a 35-21 victory over the Patriots in New Orleans.