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.
and came to light on Monday through court filings in a civil case spurred by the largest public spending scandal in the state’s history. The state auditor uncovered $77 million in misspent welfare funds in February 2020. The state filed a civil suit against 38 defendants.
The newly released text messages indicate Bryant, a Republican, was much more involved in the project as governor than previously known. Texts suggest he actively worked to get Favre the funding. On July 16, 2019, he texted New that he had just left a meeting with Favre, writing, “Can we help him with his project?”
Four-million dollars was not enough to complete the project. And to get the remaining money that was needed, the texts indicate Favre and New came up with a plan. She would pay Favre $1.1 million in state funds directly and he would do a few radio ads. Then he said he would turn the money over to the volleyball project.
First he was worried that he might be too busy to do the radio spots. “My biggest concern is time commitment so we can manage that I’m good.” A few months later, in December 2017, Favre got the money from New and texted her. “Nancy Santa came today and dropped some money off,” he wrote, adding two smiley faces. “thank you my goodness thank you. We need to set up the promo soon. Your way to kind.”
Often, the text messages show, Favre would strategize with New about how to ensure the money would be provided and how to get the governor to commit more funding. Would a phone call to the governor help? A meeting? A message? Favre texted New that he was asking the governor about the funds “weekly.”
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