Wanting to bring economic development to Mississippi isn’t wrong, but typically the Mississippi Development Authority would handle such situations. Phil Bryant Favre was hoping to get pharmaceutical company Prevacus, which researches and develops concussion treatments and of which Favre is an investor and spokesman, to locate and manufacture its drug in his home state. In March, the digital news service Mississippi Today published a story that said in January 2019 the DHS met with Favre at the request of then-Gov. The sparse website for MCEC makes no mention of Favre, and multiple Google searches don’t turn up any ads Favre did for the organization.Ī little more digging, however, does find a connection between Favre, the Department of Human Services, and MCEC and this one raises questions as well. Favre’s past MCEC ties raise more concern He says he did ads for Families First, but the language the state provided says he was contracted for appearances, and autographs and speaking engagements are in-person appearances.Īnd if he felt he did what he was supposed to do for the organization, why return the money? If it finally goes to those it was intended to help, at least it will be put to better use. At least according to State Auditor Shad White’s office, which told the Mississippi Clarion-Ledger that “the individual contracted did not speak nor was he present for those events.”Ĥ/4 It has brought a ton of joy to my life, and I would certainly never do anything to take away from the children I have fought to help! I love Mississippi and I would never knowingly do anything to take away from those that need it most. Maybe a sold autograph could bring in a little bit of money?įor $1.1 million in federal funds earmarked to help impoverished Mississippians, Favre did. The fleeting excitement of meeting arguably the state’s most famous resident doesn’t help pay the light bill or supply nutrition for food-insecure families. Which brings up the first and most basic question: What the heck would a speaking engagement from Brett Favre do for someone battling poverty?Īccording to the Federal Department of Health and Human Services, the purpose of the TANF program is to “help needy families achieve self-sufficiency.” The audit shows that MCEC paid Favre Enterprises $500,000 in December 2017 and $600,000 in June 2018 for “appearances,” including promotions, autographs and speaking engagements. How did Brett Favre ‘appearances’ benefit the needy? Nearly 20 percent of the state’s residents live in poverty.
Census Bureau, Mississippi is the poorest state in the country, with a median household income of $42,781, significantly less than the $63,179 median American household income. Let’s be clear from the outset: the people who could have benefitted the most from that money are the biggest losers in all of this.
The million-plus that went to Favre Enterprises is a fraction of the $94 million that was allegedly improperly spent.