Retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre is appealing a Mississippi judge’s decision that blocked his lead attorney from representing him in a civil lawsuit aiming to recover misspent welfare funds. The lawsuit, filed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services in 2022, targets Favre and over three dozen others for allegedly diverting welfare money from its intended purpose to fund various projects, such as a volleyball arena supported by Favre.
Hinds County Circuit Judge Faye Peterson ruled on July 11 that one of Favre’s New York-based attorneys, Daniel Koevary, violated Mississippi civil court procedures by repeatedly requesting hearings on unrelated matters. Favre filed an appeal with the Mississippi Supreme Court, arguing that the judge’s order causes irreparable harm and unfairly restricts his legal representation.
In 2020, Mississippi Auditor Shad White revealed that Favre had received $1.1 million in speaking fees from a nonprofit organization funded with welfare money approved by the Mississippi Department of Human Services for the University of Southern Mississippi’s volleyball arena. Favre, a Hall of Fame member, repaid $1.1 million in two installments but still owes $729,790 due to accrued interest.
Despite the controversy surrounding the welfare funds, Favre is not facing criminal charges. Former Mississippi Department of Human Services director John Davis and others have already pleaded guilty to misusing funds from the welfare program. The state auditor estimated that over $77 million in welfare money was misspent between 2016 and 2019, including expenses like drug rehabilitation for a former wrestler and luxuries for Davis while he was in charge of the Department of Human Services.
