Mississippi welfare scandal: Luxury cars among $94M in questionable spending, Brett Favre paid 1.1M

[Demovictory9]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/05/04/mississippi-welfare-scandal-audit-shows-94-million-questionable-spending/3080541001/

JACKSON, Miss. – Money meant to help poor residents was used to buy luxury cars, sponsor a college baseball tournament and hire family members of a top state official, according to a report from State Auditor Shad White.

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In a statement, White said the report "shows the most egregious misspending my staff have seen in their careers at the Office of the State Auditor." He said, "If there was a way to misspend money, it seems DHS leadership or their grantees thought of it and tried it."

Those facing criminal charges include former Department of Human Services Director John Davis, as well as Nancy New, the leader of the Mississippi Community Education Center, or MCEC, one of the nonprofit groups that received millions of TANF dollars.

Among the audit's "questioned" spending:

The two nonprofit groups used welfare money to hire lobbyists, often without paperwork describing the work they were supposed to do.
MCEC gave contracts to, and hired, family members of Davis, sometimes making lump sum payments. The payments and salaries to his nephew and brother-in-law totaled more than $1 million over the past several years, auditors said.
Both nonprofit groups gave welfare money to a trio of wrestlers, Ted DiBiase, Ted DiBiase, Jr. and Brett DiBiase – some of it for work never performed, some for "unreasonable" travel costs.
MCEC paid Victory Sports Foundation with welfare money to run fitness programs, some of which Mississippi legislators and other officials or staffers participated in, free of charge. The trainer who runs Victory, said he did not know he received welfare money.
MCEC bought three cars with welfare money, each worth more than $50,000, for New and two sons. Salaries, cellphones and other expenses were paid using welfare money. The vehicles included a 2018 Nissan Armada, a Chevrolet Silverado and a Ford F-250. In each case, the vehicle was registered to MCEC, but in each case, auditors said the vehicles were for personal use.
MCEC used welfare money for sports-related purposes, including sponsoring a college baseball tournament and other NCAA events.
MCEC cut a $3,000 check to a bookkeeper of MCEC, though a handwritten note says "$3,000 cash was given to" Davis, the DHS executive director.
MCEC moved $6 million to a private school and organization run by New and bought supplies for the school.
DHS officials were scheduled to respond to the report Monday afternoon at a news conference. The directors of MCEC and FRC did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday. Neither did attorneys for New and Davis.

White said additional indictments could come in the separate criminal case. Federal investigators, including the FBI, are involved.

https://sports.yahoo.com/audit-brett-favre-paid-11-m-in-welfare-funds-for-appearances-he-didnt-make-015403643.html

Audit: Brett Favre was paid $1.1M in Mississippi welfare funds for appearances he didn't make

[Progressive Law]

1. I suspect Brett Favre had no idea about this and never got paid...

..the former director pocketing the money while listing the expenditure.

[ProfessorGAC]

3. I See That As Probable

He doesn't strike me as someone who takes under the table money for not even showing up.
He's doing commercials. The PR hit isn't worth a million bucks over "several years".

[Progressive Law]

5. It appears Favre acknowledges receipt of the money...I am more suspicious now.

[LakeVermilion]

2. This is the money that the Blue states give the Federal government.

Mississippi is one of the biggest taker states. As a country we are willing to pay to help poor people. But Mississippi has never respected the needs of those with less opportunity. I'm sure those involved in this scandal feel entitled to the money.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

4. K&R

[JI7]

6. Have any Republicans said anything about this ?