NFL legend Brett Favre ‘questioned by the FBI after being paid $1.1 million from a Mississippi welfare fund for motivational speeches he never gave’
- Brett Favre was reportedly paid $1.1 million for motivational speeches he didn’t give
- Favre’s payment was part of a larger $70 million scandal involving social funds
- The NFL legend said last year he repaid the money, but a Mississippi state auditor is also reportedly asking for $228,000 in interest
- Favre is not charged with any crime and said he believes the payment was for commercials he participated in over a three-year period
NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre was reportedly being questioned by the FBI over his alleged involvement in a welfare fraud case in which he was paid $1.1 million for motivational speeches he never gave.
The 52-year-old Green Bay Packers legend, who has not been charged with a crime, is said to have received the money in 2017 and 2018 as part of a larger $70 million scandal — along with a professional wrestler, a horse farm and a volleyball complex .
NBC News reports that Favre, who has since returned the $1.1 million but not the $228,000 in interest demanded by a Mississippi state auditor, has now spoken to the FBI about the case.
Favre has previously defended himself on social media, posting in October 2021 that he didn’t know where the money had come from and that he believed he was being paid to appear in three years of commercials.
Brett Favre was reportedly being questioned by the FBI about a $1.1 million payment made to him
Favre is an NFL Hall of Famer and a 1998 Super Bowl winner (pictured) with the Packers
It is alleged that the money paid to Favre came from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) charity fund and came at the direction of former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant. Bryant has also denied knowing the money came from Social Funds.
Speaking on Twitter last year, Favre said: “I’m doing everything I can to support this investigation to make things right for the people of Mississippi and I’ve shared everything I know which is that I’m for three years advertising was paid for that I did and I taxed the money as I should.
“Of course the money was returned because I would never knowingly take any funds intended to help our neighbors in need, but for Shad White to continue to spread this lie that the money was for no-show events is something about which I cannot remain silent. ‘
Favre has repaid the $1.1 million, claiming he believes the money was for commercials he starred in
The former quarterback defended himself on social media last year amid the allegations
According to the report, White is the state auditor who first discovered the misspending and fraud.
Favre is a Super Bowl champion and three-time NFL MVP who played for the Falcons, Packers, Jets and Vikings but is best known for his 15 years as a quarterback at Green Bay.
In 2016 he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
