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The civil lawsuit against Brett Favre filed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) is continuing to roll on despite the Hall of Famer quarterback’s many objections.
Favre, whose own biographer called him “an idiot” this past June, has refused to turn over his tax returns and objected to all 27 requests from MDHS lawyers, Front Office Sports reports.
“MDHS has propounded a total of twenty-seven requests for production to Favre,” MDHS lawyers wrote in a court filing this week. “Favre has raised multiple objections to every request.”
The subpoenas seek texts and emails Favre exchanged with others who were part of an alleged scheme — including those indicted on state and federal charges — that led to millions of misappropriated welfare funds.
The tax filings requested by MDHS connect Favre to about $8 million allegedly sourced from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds between 2017 and 2020.
“Favre’s tax returns are relevant and probative to both MDHS’s claims and Favre’s defenses,” MDHS lawyers added in the filing.
“MDHS and Favre dispute whether Favre agreed to fund the construction of the volleyball facility prior to his signing a written pledge. The amounts Favre paid towards the construction of the facility — which presumably would be reflected on his tax returns — are relevant to that dispute.
“The tax return also may contain relevant information regarding payments Favre made to or received from any defendant.”
Favre, who has not been criminally charged in relation to the welfare fund scandal, was called “the driving force” behind millions of dollars in illegal transactions, according to former U.S. Attorney Brad Pigott in a damning Sports Illustrated report published in May of this year.
In August, Anthony Olivieri of ESPN wrote, “At the heart of the dispute between MDHS and Favre is a volleyball facility built in 2019 at Favre’s alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi. Favre donated his own money and helped raise funds for the facility, and text messages, which have become public in legal filings as part of the civil lawsuit, show he pushed state officials for funding during the time his daughter was on the team.”
Numerous texts which could be used to incriminate Brett Favre were released in September.