Brett Favre pressed for facility funding despite being told legality in question, court filing says

NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre continued to press Mississippi state officials for help in paying for new sports facilities at the University of Southern Mississippi months after being told by then-Gov. Phil Bryant that the misuse of state welfare funds could be illegal, according to text messages in a court filing.

Favre, who has not been charged in Mississippi's massive welfare scandal, has said through attorneys that he did not know the origin of the funds.

On July 28, 2019, Bryant texted Favre that the founder of a nonprofit who paid him «has some limited control over Federal Funds in the form of Grants for Children and adults in the Low Income Community.»

«Use of these funds [is] tightly controlled,» Bryant wrote, according to the filing. «Any improper use could result in violation of Federal Law. Auditors are currently reviewing the use of these funds.»

Still, Favre continued to push for a $6 million volleyball facility, according to the 62-page filing that objects to a subpoena for the former governor's documents in a lawsuit stemming from the state scandal.

According to the filing, Favre texted Bryant on Sept. 4, 2019, after a meeting they and others had to discuss requesting an additional $1.8 million to $2 million for programs at the new facility.

«We obviously need your help big time and time is working against us,» Favre wrote. «And we feel that your name is the perfect choice for this facility and we are not taking No for an answer! You are a Southern Miss Alumni, and folks need to know you are also a supporter of the University.»

Bryant responded, according to the filing: «We are going to get there. This was a great meeting. But we have to follow the law. I am to[o] old for Federal Prison.»

The Holmes Law