Ever since the massive welfare fraud case in Mississippi was exposed, Brett Favre has been a primary target in the media and by auditors and authorities.
Favre has claimed innocence, but damaging text messages are squashing his claims. And now he’s done something even more suspicious.
According to A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports, Favre has refused to release his tax returns and other documents after 27 requests from the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS).
“MDHS has propounded a total of twenty-seven requests for production to Favre,” wrote MDHS lawyers in their filing on Monday. “Favre has raised multiple objections to every request.”
Favre has been a target of MDHS’s investigation into what Mississippi Today called “the biggest fraud case in state history.” After it was discovered that $77 million in funds meant for needy families were “misspent” on other things, auditors dug deeper and found that through Favre’s direction, Southern Mississippi, his alma mater and where his daughter plays volleyball, received over $5 million for a new volleyball stadium out of these TANF (Temporary Assistance for Need Families) funds.
MDHS is requesting Favre’s tax returns as they feel they connect him to approximately $8 million of the TANF funds that were “misspent” between 2017 and 2020.
Favre has denied knowing that the $5 million came from TANF funds and he hasn’t been charged criminally as of yet. His denials have yet to convince anyone of his innocence, especially MDHS.
“Favre’s tax returns are relevant and probative to both MDHS’s claims and Favre’s defenses,” wrote MDHS lawyers. “MDHS and Favre dispute whether Favre agreed to fund the construction of the volleyball facility prior to his signing a written pledge. The amounts Favre paid towards the construction of the facility — which presumably would be reflected on his tax returns — are relevant to that dispute. The tax return also may contain relevant information regarding payments Favre made to or received from any defendant.”
Favre has refused to hand over his returns. According to the filing, he states that MDHS’ requests are “overly broad, unduly burdensome and harassing.”
Favre is due to be deposed on Dec. 11, but his refusal to hand over his tax returns and his denials that he knew anything about the source of the volleyball stadium funding, despite text messages which clearly link him to those involved in the process, many of whom have been arrested, does nothing to support his innocence.
We will keep you updated on this situation.
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