MS state attorney DIE after issuing subpoena to see if former NFL star Brett Favre forged a $5 million donation

A Mississippi state attorney has been fired after issuing a subpoena to see if former NFL star Brett Favre forged a $5 million donation to a planned college volleyball center. not by using non-profit cash for needy families.

J. Brad Pigott was fired by the Mississippi Department of Human Services on Friday after issuing a subpoena to see where millions of abused welfare funds went.

Part of the subpoena that Pigott filed looked at a check for $5 million for the construction of a volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2018.

Pigott told the Times that Favre had agreed to finance $5 million for the construction of the building.

But the investigator – a former federal prosecutor – claims Favre instead demanded $5 million from the Mississippi Community Education Center, which was arrested for abusing welfare funds in April.

The former Green Bay Packers defender is said to have asked Nancy New, then head of the Mississippi Community Center, to raise millions of dollars from a foundation aimed at helping impoverished families become self-sufficient.

J. Brad Pigott was fired by the Mississippi Department of Human Services on Friday after issuing a subpoena to see where millions of abused welfare funds went.

New is a close friend of Deborah Bryant, a former Mississippi first lady whose husband, former GOP Governor Phil Bryant, was also involved in the Pigott anti-corruption investigation.

Pigott believes his dismissal was ordered by incumbent Governor Tate Reeves of Mississippi, who is also a Republican.

A spokesman for the Mississippi legislature initially insisted Pigott was fired for refusing to share plans for his subpoena – although he did write evidence that he did it only. 10 days before it is issued.

They also stated that the former federal prosecutor’s semi-retired status counts towards his future work and that they wanted another attorney they felt could commit full-time to take over.

Pigott was hired to investigate corruption after a 2020 state audit revealed $94 million in federal funds had missed and ended up in the pockets of wealthy Mississippians — like Favre and former Governor Phil Bryant .

Favre is said to have been paid $1.1 million to attend a speaking event he never attended, according to The New York Times. Although he eventually returned the money, state auditors were still after $228,000 in interest incurred.

Brett Favre (pictured) has been accused of forging donations and receiving welfare payments to build a university volleyball facility. However, officials said at the time the audit was published, there was no evidence in favor of Favre knowing the money was from welfare.

He has been accused of forging a $5 million grant to the University of Southern Mississippi volleyball facility (pictured). He demanded payment from the Mississippi Community Education Center, which was arrested for abusing welfare funds in April

Former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, left, and his wife Deborah pictured in 2016. Deborah was involved in an anti-corruption investigation that allegedly saw a nonprofit run by her friend Nancy New executive pony has raised $5 million in cash to build a volleyball center on request from former NFL quarterback Brett Favre, after Favre pledged his own cash donation

Pigott believes his dismissal is centered on the incumbent Governor of Mississippi, Tate Reeves. He and Bryant are both Republicans

The nonprofit claims to have paid $5 million in fees to use the university’s facilities, but Pigott told the Times it was actually an arrangement to cover up intentional financial mismanagement. .

The subpoena, filed with the university’s sports organization, is seeking $20 million from 38 entities, including Favre, and also asks for any communication between Favre or Bryant or Bryant’s wife , Deborah.

In addition, $1.7 million in benefits was awarded to a pharmaceutical company that Favre invested in.

However, officials said at the time the audit was published, there was no evidence in favor of Favre knowing the money was from welfare, the Times reported.

Now, Pigott claims that he was told he was fired that had nothing to do with his legal work and that he received no further reasons behind it, The New York Times reported.

“I believe I have been fired as a result of a form of order from the Mississippi governor’s office regarding the protection of an entity, known as the University of Southern Mississippi Athletes’ Organization, from any liability in the matter. this topic,” he told the Times.

The CEO of the company Pigott works for now claims he was fired for not consulting his superiors before filing the subpoena.

However, an email – obtained by Mississippi Today – shows the attorney sent a copy of the subpoena to the agency’s attorney 10 days before filing.

The governor’s spokeswoman, Shelby Wilcher, said that Pigott’s one-year contract was about to expire and that ‘the semi-professional solo practitioner is not the right person to sign for more work,’ she told The New York Times.

She said that Pigotts will continue to work to uncover the mystery behind the misspended funds, the Times reported.

Farve was quarterback for the Green Bay Packers for most of his career