JACKSON, Miss. — The defamation suit brought by retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre against Mississippi State Auditor Shad White is set to proceed after the Mississippi Supreme Court decided not to dismiss White’s appeal. The case centers around White’s statements regarding Favre’s alleged involvement in a welfare scandal.
In a statement, White’s office expressed determination to contest what they consider an unfounded lawsuit. Back in March, White appealed to overturn an earlier ruling by Judge Debra Gibbs of the Hinds County Circuit Court, which rejected his request to dismiss the lawsuit.
White’s appeal argued that the continuation of this case poses a threat to essential First Amendment rights and could deter public officials from fulfilling their duties, highlighting a broader concern over the implications of the litigation.
Favre initiated the defamation lawsuit in 2023, accusing White of making false allegations against him concerning the misuse of taxpayer funds during media appearances and in White’s 2024 publication, “Mississippi Swindle: Brett Favre and the Welfare Scandal that Shocked America.”
Favre is one of the numerous individuals sued by the state to recover misallocated welfare funds distributed via the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Over $1 million of TANF money went through a nonprofit and was utilized, in part, to fund a $5 million volleyball complex at the University of Southern Mississippi, where Favre attended, and his daughter played volleyball starting in 2017.
Although Favre has repaid $1.1 million, White insists that Favre still owes about $730,000 due to accumulated interest on the original debt. It’s important to note that Favre has neither faced criminal charges concerning the scandal nor admitted to any wrongdoing, maintaining he was unaware the funds were earmarked for welfare recipients and was simply aiding his alma mater.
As of now, the defamation case will return to the Hinds County Circuit Court for further proceedings.