His charity-Favre 4 Hope-donated almost $130K to the University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Foundation, where he went to school & where his daughter played volleyball. Apparently there are texts showing Favre pressuring Phil Bryant-a former governor of Mississippi-about building a new volleyball facility. Farve 4 Hope is a charity for breast cancer patients & disabled children. Needless to say, this is a misuse of funds.
I'm curious to see where this goes. I always thought Favre was a phony/prima donna. I'm sure Peter King is crying himself to sleep over this, Haha.
Because government money and officials are involved, any discussion tends to veer into politics.
For the same reason, Favre probably can’t just make restitution and walk. Laws were probably broken and the crimes were too public to sweep under the rug.
Favre was a terrific QB but he’s kind of a slimeball, huh?
He also took personal payments from walfare money for speeches he never gave, which it sounds like he partially paid back.
Now, that's not illegal if the funds are coming from a place that supports that kind of thing. It's quite conceivable that Favre had no idea they were skimming off the top of welfare funds.
And his text about not wanting the press not wanting to find out could be attributed to the guy is a multi millionaire looking for taxpayer help, and Favre knew it would be framed that way.
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Full timeline of the scandal - ( New Window )
THe Governor texted back "No, don't worry about it"
I hope he does time.
I tried to care about this, but it's so boring and I guess I just assume it happens all the time, only instead of *just* politicians misappropriating funds and screwing the people who need them, this time it includes a famous athlete so it's newsworthy beyond the local level. I guess I just kind of view most politicians as professional money launderers.
I hope the truth comes out and people pay appropriately for their involvement, but on the scale of fucks given about something, this is low for me because I expect it - after trying to care more about it.
Mfjmfj: I think you have it exactly backwards.
In “moral terms”, Favre is garbage and should burn in Hell. His own texts and actions make that much clear. No false equivalence with “Something pretty much all of us are guilty of” can diminish his utter crappiness.
The open question is the extent of his legal exposure. Maybe he’ll escape earthly consequences with expensive lawyers, fake penitence, and technicalities related to legal lobbying. He may already have missed his opportunity, since most of his co-conspirators collaborators have already cooperated. Maybe he can still sneak though a loophole, since he wasn’t a public official, doesn’t appear to have bribed anyone, and the misuse of funds by his own charity was relatively small. The whole thing looks like a conspiracy to defraud, but I’m not a lawyer and Favre will get the best representation and every possible break from the system..
His moral culpability, on the other hand, is already well-established.
Also, for a state like Mississippi, these are fairly significant numbers in the context of the TANF block grants.
Again, I think Favre is most likely guilty of knowing....heck, he took money for speeches he did not make lol
However, in regards to those Tweets, why would he be concerned with the media finding out over, say, law enforcement lol......??
Again, you could make the case he was actually more concerned with bad publicity rather than thinking he actually did something illegal....
Favre is a scumbag.
Just par for the course for Dibiase though.
Also, for a state like Mississippi, these are fairly significant numbers in the context of the TANF block grants.
I'm not saying not to name, shame and punish - absolutely do that. should be bare minimum. I'm just saying my level of outrage won't force me to get beyond the headlines
I tried to care about this, but it's so boring and I guess I just assume it happens all the time, only instead of *just* politicians misappropriating funds and screwing the people who need them, this time it includes a famous athlete so it's newsworthy beyond the local level. I guess I just kind of view most politicians as professional money launderers.
I hope the truth comes out and people pay appropriately for their involvement, but on the scale of fucks given about something, this is low for me because I expect it - after trying to care more about it.
Seems you've become comfortably numb...
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I tried to care about this, but it's so boring and I guess I just assume it happens all the time, only instead of *just* politicians misappropriating funds and screwing the people who need them, this time it includes a famous athlete so it's newsworthy beyond the local level. I guess I just kind of view most politicians as professional money launderers.
I hope the truth comes out and people pay appropriately for their involvement, but on the scale of fucks given about something, this is low for me because I expect it - after trying to care more about it.
Seems you've become comfortably numb...
on this topic. resistance is futile.
you should be less judgmental. Especially as a teacher.
I tried to care about this, but it's so boring and I guess I just assume it happens all the time, only instead of *just* politicians misappropriating funds and screwing the people who need them, this time it includes a famous athlete so it's newsworthy beyond the local level. I guess I just kind of view most politicians as professional money launderers.
I hope the truth comes out and people pay appropriately for their involvement, but on the scale of fucks given about something, this is low for me because I expect it - after trying to care more about it.
Couldn't agree more. If it was Brett Favor, this would get a few paragraphs on page 8 of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger.
The other part of this is Favre's company Odyssey. They appear to be doing good work trying to find a solution for concussions. And they were able to get money re-directed from the TANF fund.
you should be less judgmental. Especially as a teacher.
I'm not so sure about that in MS. It's huge news down there, despite Favre. In fact, the reporter on the case has done a fantastic job of reporting.
It might get on page 8 elsewhere, but not there.
(1) The text exchanges that are circulating are partially redacted and stitched together (from the court filing) so it is devoid of accurate context since we don't know what the full conversations say
(2) The overall irony that WWF Legend Ted "Million Dollar Man" DiBiase is involved in a multi-million dollar fraud case is funny.
(3) There really is no evidence that Favre was aware the politician's would be pulling money from a "welfare fund." I think it is plausible Favre was just assuming he was getting some sort of government slush fund money.
(4) The money DID go to building a gymnasium at a public state university. Any money allegedly paid to Favre for "speeches or PSA's" went to the school/facility.
(5) The uproar that Favre's cancer foundation gave some money to a public university is way way overblown. I work intimately with several pro athlete foundations and know firsthand that most of the money raised goes towards paying for lavish "Galas" (they claim an event raised $1 mil but it cost $950k to host the party so they really raised $50k)
(6) Favre seemed to genuinely be hustling hard to get this facility built. He was reaching out to local contractors to get them to donate supplies and services. He was offering to do appearances for people in exchange for support. They entertained using a prisoner work program to help build the facility.
(7) We all know that money would have been wasted on something else and never made its way to people needing it.
(8) If anyone is "guilty" I think it would be the politicians and not Favre. Fraud requires "intent" and it does not seem like Favre "intended" to participate in a welfare funds scheme.
Overall, this is probably just basic "how things work" going on. It is not a scandal on par with something that would really "shock the conscious" as we say in the legal world.
(1) The text exchanges that are circulating are partially redacted and stitched together (from the court filing) so it is devoid of accurate context since we don't know what the full conversations say
(2) The overall irony that WWF Legend Ted "Million Dollar Man" DiBiase is involved in a multi-million dollar fraud case is funny.
(3) There really is no evidence that Favre was aware the politician's would be pulling money from a "welfare fund." I think it is plausible Favre was just assuming he was getting some sort of government slush fund money.
(4) The money DID go to building a gymnasium at a public state university. Any money allegedly paid to Favre for "speeches or PSA's" went to the school/facility.
(5) The uproar that Favre's cancer foundation gave some money to a public university is way way overblown. I work intimately with several pro athlete foundations and know firsthand that most of the money raised goes towards paying for lavish "Galas" (they claim an event raised $1 mil but it cost $950k to host the party so they really raised $50k)
(6) Favre seemed to genuinely be hustling hard to get this facility built. He was reaching out to local contractors to get them to donate supplies and services. He was offering to do appearances for people in exchange for support. They entertained using a prisoner work program to help build the facility.
(7) We all know that money would have been wasted on something else and never made its way to people needing it.
(8) If anyone is "guilty" I think it would be the politicians and not Favre. Fraud requires "intent" and it does not seem like Favre "intended" to participate in a welfare funds scheme.
Overall, this is probably just basic "how things work" going on. It is not a scandal on par with something that would really "shock the conscious" as we say in the legal world.
I particularly agree with 1, 3 and 6.
Criminal intent - you have to prove beyond doubt. Again, I could make a case for Favre indeed wanted a facility built using govt money (aka not his money), but didn't know where the money was coming from.
(1) The text exchanges that are circulating are partially redacted and stitched together (from the court filing) so it is devoid of accurate context since we don't know what the full conversations say
(2) The overall irony that WWF Legend Ted "Million Dollar Man" DiBiase is involved in a multi-million dollar fraud case is funny.
(3) There really is no evidence that Favre was aware the politician's would be pulling money from a "welfare fund." I think it is plausible Favre was just assuming he was getting some sort of government slush fund money.
(4) The money DID go to building a gymnasium at a public state university. Any money allegedly paid to Favre for "speeches or PSA's" went to the school/facility.
(5) The uproar that Favre's cancer foundation gave some money to a public university is way way overblown. I work intimately with several pro athlete foundations and know firsthand that most of the money raised goes towards paying for lavish "Galas" (they claim an event raised $1 mil but it cost $950k to host the party so they really raised $50k)
(6) Favre seemed to genuinely be hustling hard to get this facility built. He was reaching out to local contractors to get them to donate supplies and services. He was offering to do appearances for people in exchange for support. They entertained using a prisoner work program to help build the facility.
(7) We all know that money would have been wasted on something else and never made its way to people needing it.
(8) If anyone is "guilty" I think it would be the politicians and not Favre. Fraud requires "intent" and it does not seem like Favre "intended" to participate in a welfare funds scheme.
Overall, this is probably just basic "how things work" going on. It is not a scandal on par with something that would really "shock the conscious" as we say in the legal world.
Although point 7 seems rather weak. I think to assume the money would have been stolen elsewhere does not apply.
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and as someone very involved with Pro Athlete Foundations, I opine that:
(1) The text exchanges that are circulating are partially redacted and stitched together (from the court filing) so it is devoid of accurate context since we don't know what the full conversations say
(2) The overall irony that WWF Legend Ted "Million Dollar Man" DiBiase is involved in a multi-million dollar fraud case is funny.
(3) There really is no evidence that Favre was aware the politician's would be pulling money from a "welfare fund." I think it is plausible Favre was just assuming he was getting some sort of government slush fund money.
(4) The money DID go to building a gymnasium at a public state university. Any money allegedly paid to Favre for "speeches or PSA's" went to the school/facility.
(5) The uproar that Favre's cancer foundation gave some money to a public university is way way overblown. I work intimately with several pro athlete foundations and know firsthand that most of the money raised goes towards paying for lavish "Galas" (they claim an event raised $1 mil but it cost $950k to host the party so they really raised $50k)
(6) Favre seemed to genuinely be hustling hard to get this facility built. He was reaching out to local contractors to get them to donate supplies and services. He was offering to do appearances for people in exchange for support. They entertained using a prisoner work program to help build the facility.
(7) We all know that money would have been wasted on something else and never made its way to people needing it.
(8) If anyone is "guilty" I think it would be the politicians and not Favre. Fraud requires "intent" and it does not seem like Favre "intended" to participate in a welfare funds scheme.
Overall, this is probably just basic "how things work" going on. It is not a scandal on par with something that would really "shock the conscious" as we say in the legal world.
I particularly agree with 1, 3 and 6.
Criminal intent - you have to prove beyond doubt. Again, I could make a case for Favre indeed wanted a facility built using govt money (aka not his money), but didn't know where the money was coming from.
In regards to #4, if money for speeches went to the school, but did Favre pay it back himself (at least that's what I thought I read).
Maybe it's overblown, but I don't think the uproar is due to Farve 4 Hope simply giving money to USM.
It's that the amount given was more than 10 times what any charity. This is according to the Athletic.
Favre's not going to jail but he's a slimebag. He presumably has the means to donate to his alma mater, and have the facility built. Instead he pushed for it to come off the backs of poor people.
What a butthole.
Some states have taken hilarious liberties with Purposes 2, 3 and 4. Sham charities with noble-sounding charters are a favorite device for laundering money. States receive federal TANF aid based, essentially, on what they would have gotten for AFDC (i.e. TANF Purpose #1), but it's up to each state to decide how to allocate among the four purposes and within each element of the charter. Mississippi stands out because so many families qualify, yet so little of the money goes directly to those poor families. What remains is a slush fund for folks with strong connections and a weak conscience... which brings us back to a certain HoF QB.
While it's hard to keep politics out of a topic like this, it's not really a partisan issue. Welfare reform (properly "The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996") was a bipartisan compromise that President Clinton signed over the impassioned objections of advocates for the poor, including members of his own administration who resigned in protest. Ownership of the flaws and loopholes rests with both parties.
TANF rules from hhs.gov - ( New Window )
Favre's not going to jail but he's a slimebag. He presumably has the means to donate to his alma mater, and have the facility built. Instead he pushed for it to come off the backs of poor people.
What a butthole.
But Favre's company Odessey is doing terrific work in the concussion health space. And they got redirected money as well from the TANF fund.
On the surface, it seems the money went from one good cause to another.
While private research on concussion prevention is fine and good, states can’t use federal TANF money that way, no matter how worthy or promising the research might be. TANF is a block grant program, but it does have rules.
The federal government subsidizes tons of medical research, through varied channels, and much of it ultimately benefits private investors. That’s a whole different topic. TANF, however, is not one of those channels. Mississippi has a Development Authority that invests in promising local businesses. That’s not TANF money either. Prevacus bypassed the competent, legal channels and tapped into a slush fund provided unwittingly by taxpayers across the country. Even if PRV-002 were a wonder drug - and so far it isn’t - the diversion of TANF money would be wrong.
Ironically, you’re right that Odyssey might have been a worthier use of TANF money than some other, griftier diversions Mississippi had going at the same time. It was still wildly inappropriate, and probably illegal.
Apparently, they have decided that the Favre name has become a net negative.
Odyssey press release - ( New Window )
While private research on concussion prevention is fine and good, states can’t use federal TANF money that way, no matter how worthy or promising the research might be. TANF is a block grant program, but it does have rules.
The federal government subsidizes tons of medical research, through varied channels, and much of it ultimately benefits private investors. That’s a whole different topic. TANF, however, is not one of those channels. Mississippi has a Development Authority that invests in promising local businesses. That’s not TANF money either. Prevacus bypassed the competent, legal channels and tapped into a slush fund provided unwittingly by taxpayers across the country. Even if PRV-002 were a wonder drug - and so far it isn’t - the diversion of TANF money would be wrong.
Ironically, you’re right that Odyssey might have been a worthier use of TANF money than some other, griftier diversions Mississippi had going at the same time. It was still wildly inappropriate, and probably illegal.
I appreciate the feedback. But I never said getting TANF money - if true - was appropriate. It's just another layer in the story.
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States may use their TANF funding in any manner "reasonably calculated to accomplish the purposes of TANF." These purposes are: (1) to provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes; (2) to reduce dependency by promoting job preparation, work and marriage; (3) to prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and (4) to encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.
Some states have taken hilarious liberties with Purposes 2, 3 and 4. Sham charities with noble-sounding charters are a favorite device for laundering money. States receive federal TANF aid based, essentially, on what they would have gotten for AFDC (i.e. TANF Purpose #1), but it's up to each state to decide how to allocate among the four purposes and within each element of the charter. Mississippi stands out because so many families qualify, yet so little of the money goes directly to those poor families. What remains is a slush fund for folks with strong connections and a weak conscience... which brings us back to a certain HoF QB.
While it's hard to keep politics out of a topic like this, it's not really a partisan issue. Welfare reform (properly "The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996") was a bipartisan compromise that President Clinton signed over the impassioned objections of advocates for the poor, including members of his own administration who resigned in protest. Ownership of the flaws and loopholes rests with both parties. TANF rules from hhs.gov - ( New Window )
So, I guess a volleyball stadium helps prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies? 🤔
He may have found a loophole to do so regardless of the fact that a fucking millionaire pushed to get money to look good for his daughter and his ex-college.
He's a PoS for doing it and a complete scumbag for making it look like it's his own money. There is no sugarcoating his actions
He may have found a loophole to do so regardless of the fact that a fucking millionaire pushed to get money to look good for his daughter and his ex-college.
He's a PoS for doing it and a complete scumbag for making it look like it's his own money. There is no sugarcoating his actions
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you should be less judgmental. Especially as a teacher.
Well let me ask you this question: do you vote? Because someone who feels the way you do shouldn't be voting. If you feel the way you do and because of that, you don't vote, well then I get it. But if you're voting, then I have to wonder who it is you're voting for if you think all politicians are corrupt.
Again Milton, you are making assumptions and judging people.
I do vote, but yet I still think most politicians don't give a shit about their constituents. I think they care mostly about lining their own pockets and/or amassing power. I won't say more because I don't want this thread deleted and it's probably venturing to the line of topics that will get it blown up.
I don't think it is uncommon to feel this way and even if it is it's not up to you to say if it's ok or not.
Spinning up a non-profit with seemingly the only intent to redirect welfare money into pet projects for the rich and notable is a special kind of terrible.
Say what you will about public officials, but non-profit work is tiring and often thankless. I’ve had nothing but excellent experiences with the many non-profits I’ve contributed to and my friends and family have worked at or run.
Anyone who creates a bad name for an industry that does so much good in this country sucks.
Ignoring his involvement and letting him slide would be a miscarriage of justice and send a terrible message.