As he became entangled in a scheme that diverted federal welfare money to build a volleyball stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi, the former football star sent a question to the head of a nonprofit doling out funds meant to go to welfare recipients
Is there any way the media could find out where the money came from and how much it cost? Several years of text messages about the project came to light when they were filed in court last week and were first published by Mississippi Today.
More than one payment has been exposed in a scandal that has stretched far beyond Mr. A motley assortment of political appointees, former football stars, onetime professional wrestlers, business figures and various friends of the state's former Republican governor are accused of pocketing or misuseing money earmarked for needy families.
John Davis, the former executive director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, pleaded guilty to both federal and state charges. Court documents show that millions of dollars were transferred to friends and family.
According to a lawsuit filed by the state in May, $5 million was diverted to Ted DiBiase, a flamboyant retired wrestler once known as "The Million Dollar Man," and two of his sons, as well as various entities connected to them. A son's stay at a luxury rehab center in Malibu, Calif., that cost $160,000, was one of the things the money went to.
The state claims that Marcus Dupree, who was paid to act as a celebrity endorser and motivational speaker, did not perform any contractual services towards the $371,000 he received to purchase and live in a palatial residence with a swimming pool.
The suit said that Mr. Favre was paid more than $1 million for speeches he didn't give. According to the suit, he orchestrated more than $2 million in government funds being used to invest in a start-up.
None of the three have been accused of a crime.
Bennie Thompson said that profiteering off the poor is still going on. He said it was like Robin Hood in that he took from the poor and gave to the rich.
In a lawsuit filed in May against 38 individuals and organizations, the accusations about fraudulent grants were laid out. The TANF program became a slush fund for pet projects and personal gain rather than helping the poor.
The money would have failed to meet both federal and state regulations if it had been taken for services that were never provided. A state audit in May 2020 suggested that as much as $94 million of TANF funds may have gone astray.
One of the largest public corruption cases in Mississippi's history took place in February 2020 when six people were arrested and charged with misuse of public funds. Jody E. Owens II said a joint inquiry by federal and state investigators could lead to more charges.
Lawyers for the two men did not respond to questions. Michael T. Dawkins said in court papers that his clients had acted in accordance with the law.
The lawyer for Mr. Dupree said in a letter that his client had earned the money.
A request for comment was not returned by the lawyer. The football legend was not aware that the funds came from a federal program.
The amount of money Mississippi spends on basic assistance is 47th in the U.S. According to figures compiled by the center, the maximum benefit in July of 2016 was $488 a month, compared to $260 in Mississippi.
The fraud was caused by changes made in 1996 when cash benefits were replaced by block grants. They are supposed to distribute the money according to four federal guidelines that emphasize moving poor families towards steady employment, but in practice states and governors are given a lot of latitude.
The fifth guideline was added by the Mississippi Legislature. The state alleges that the malefactors included the public officials running the program.
Nancy New and her son pleaded guilty to misuse of TANF funds.
The text messages show that Mr. Bryant helped Mr. Favre get federal money to build a volleyball facility.
Is it possible for us to help him with his project? Mr. Bryant told Ms. New that he had just talked to Mr.
The university received $5 million for a fake lease to use its athletic facilities for programs for the poor, according to the state auditor.
According to the audit, the money paid by the Mississippi Department of Human Services was used for construction. In April of last year, Mr. New pleaded guilty to transferring $4 million from TANF funds to the university.
According to the texts released last week, the $1.1 million welfare contract to promote the center's programs was another way to divert money to the stadium.
The source of the money meant for the facility was concealed in a text conversation in August of last year. She said she got off the phone with Phil Bryant. We are on board with him. We will complete this task!
William M. Quin II is a lawyer for Mr. Bryant. He dismissed the text messages as "cherry-picked." Mr. Bryant has not been accused of anything.
The lawsuit did not include the stadium. After J. Brad Pigott began subpoenaing information about what had happened at the university, he was dismissed. The state auditor said he still owes $228,000 in interest.
The director of the southern regional office of the Children's Defense Fund said that organizations that help the poor worry that block grants can be an invitation for abuse.
She said there was a danger that the money would become a slush fund.
The problem in Mississippi is compounded by the fact that the state's Republican governors and legislatures have been against government programs to help the poor. She said that the officials might have thought it was funny to use money that was supposed to go to people who didn't deserve it.
Mississippi is one of 12 states that has refused to expand Medicaid and has turned down federal money meant to improve medical treatment, housing and child care. The state had $47 million in unspent TANF funds at the end of 2020.
Faculty members at the University of Southern Mississippi say the school admits first- generation students from the kind of families the money was meant to help. DenisWiesenburg, the faculty senate president and a professor of marine science, said that no one is happy about the recent attention. It has damaged the reputation of the school.
Over the years the scandal has been reported on by Mississippi Today. That doesn't change the anger of those most affected.
The executive director of the Mississippi Low-Income Child Care Initiative said people were appalled that tens of millions of dollars that should have gone towards initiatives like improved public transportation or child care for the working poor were instead handed out to rich political cronies. She said that they see the money that is intended to help people like them is being used to help people who don't need help. It is hard to understand.
Jenny Vrentas made a report.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
