Another text shows Favre offering to make paid fundraising appearances, so he could talk up the volleyball building, to supplement the $4 million initially approved by the MDHS.
The 2020 state auditor’s report showed Nancy’s nonprofit paying $2.5 million to Favre Enterprises in November 2017, followed by another $2.5 million the following month. The aforementioned speech money was sent in December 2017 and June 2018, in respective $500,000 and $600,000 payments.
In the Sept. 12 filing, per Mississippi Today, Nancy’s attorney alleged that MDHS executives, including the governor, knew what Favre wanted and “participated in directing, approving, or providing Favre MDHS funds to be used for construction of the Volleyball Facility.”
Bryant, who left office in 2020, has persistently denied having any knowledge of federal welfare money being spent on the volleyball facility or any other improper projects in violation of state and federal law, according to NBC News. He has not been charged with any crime.
In August, Bryant’s attorney objected to a subpoena for any records related to the volleyball project, arguing his texts were protected by executive privilege, but a text message records were filed with the court last month, per the New York Times.
“I’ve asked Brett not to do the things he’s doing to seek funding from state agencies and the legislature for the volleyball facility,” Southern Miss’ then-president Dr. Rodney Bennett wrote to Bryant in January 2020, per court filings. “I will see for the ‘umpteenth time’ if we can get him to stand down…The bottom line is he personally guaranteed the project, and on his word and handshake we proceeded. It’s time for him to pay up—it really is just that simple.”
To which Bryant replied, per the filing, “That’s was [sic] my thoughts. Maybe he wants the State to pay off his promises. Like all of us I like Brett. He is a legend but he has to understand what a pledge means. I have tried many time(s) to explain that to him.”
Again denying Favre knew the money was coming from welfare funds, his attorney told Mississippi Today last month, “Brett Favre has been honorable throughout this whole thing.”
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