After being told by the governor of Mississippi that the state wouldn't be able to pay for new sports facilities at the University of Southern Mississippi, the Hall of Fame quarterback continued to push for help. Text messages show that the misuse of state welfare funds could be illegal.
Attorneys for the quarterback said that he did not know where the funds came from.
The founder of a nonprofit who paid Bryant "has some limited control over Federal Funds in the form of Grants for Children and adults in the Low Income Community" according to a text message.
According to the filing, use of the funds is tightly controlled. Any improper use could violate federal law. The use of these funds is being reviewed by auditors.
The 62-page filing objects to a subpoena for the former governor's documents in a lawsuit stemming from the state scandal.
According to the filing, after a meeting they had to discuss asking for more money for programs at the new facility.
Time is working against us and we need your assistance. Your name is the perfect choice for this facility, and we are not taking no for an answer. People need to know that you are a supporter of the University.
Bryant said that they were going to get there. The meeting was a success. We have to obey the law. I'm old for federal prison.
The law firm representing the quarterback did not respond to a call from the sports network.
According to Billy Quin, a lawyer for Bryant, the filing shows that he continued to press for state funds.
The state auditor would have to approve any DHS expenditures.
According to the filing, after Bryant left office, he asked the former governor to help him get a legislative appropriation to cover his debts. Bryant sent a text that said he would reach out to Bennett.
According to the filing, the next day, Bryant received a text from "Tate", the current Mississippi Gov., urging him to keep pressing. Bryant told Bennett not to do the things he was doing to seek funding from state agencies.
Bennett said that what he's doing is outside the guidelines of the higher education system. If we can get him to stand down, I'll watch. He personally guaranteed the project and we proceeded. It is time for him to pay up.
Bryant said that he might want the state to pay off his promises. I like all of the other people. He is a legend but he doesn't know what a pledge is. I've tried to explain that to him.
The state is in litigation over misspent welfare funds. In the largest case of public fraud in state history, at least 77 million in welfare funds were misspent or stolen.
In February 2020, six people were arrested. Nancy New, the founder of a nonprofit, and John Davis, the former Mississippi Department of Human Services director, have pleaded guilty. Civil and criminal investigations continue, according to the state auditor.
Bryant said in his filing that he didn't know about the efforts to divert welfare money. He said he was willing to help raise money for the quarterback. The filing said that the subpoena was brought in bad faith because he refused to look the other way.
Bryant did not imply that he did not perform promotional services for the nonprofit, according to his filing.
The state says that he still owes $228,000 in interest, despite the fact that he repaid more than one million dollars. The retired quarterback insisted that he didn't know where the money came from.
Bryant's filing says that a new football facility was included in the text exchange that took place on July 28, 2019.
"As I suspected Deion's son asked where the indoor facility was and I said we don't have one but we are hoping to break ground in less than two years", according to the text message. Without your help and commitment, that won't happen. I know we have the Vball to complete first and I'm asking a lot with that and I believe 100% that if you can get this done Nancy will reach and help many and in the recruiting war.
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