The needy in Mississippi are still in need

Millions of dollars are missing from the Mississippi Welfare Fund

According to reports from multiple news outlets, including Jackson, Mississippi’s local ABC Channel, text messages released between former Governor Phil Bryant and former NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre indicate the fraudulent use of millions of welfare dollars.

Based on investigative reporting by Today in Mississippi, millions are missing from the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). The text message’s subject was money Favre had requested for building a Volleyball Stadium at his Alma Mater, the University of Southern Mississippi, and Favre’s daughter played there.

Nancy New, a friend of Governor Bryant’s wife, Deborah, and Nancy’s son Zach who owned several private businesses and was the founder of the Mississippi Community Education Center, as well as John Davis, former Director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) were both instrumental in funneling welfare dollars through channels determined to be “out of the public eye” so the funds could be transferred to Favre’s project, according to recent news reports.

According to Ross Adams, an Investigative Reporter for Television Station WAPT, Davis was accused of sending New $40,000 per month for four months to a Malibu, California, rehab facility to pay for treating retired professional wrestler Brett DiBiase. The money would have come from the TANF account.