A timeline of Brett Favre's involvement in Mississippi fraud case

The Mississippi fraud and embezzlement scheme, in which $77 million was funneled away from a program for needy families into other ventures, is the biggest public fraud case in the state's history. Celebrated former Packers quarterback — and Mississippi native — Brett Favre has not been charged with a crime, but he's a prominent player in the story. The saga includes former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, who also hasn't been criminally charged. Text messages unearthed last month cast doubt on the idea that Bryant and Favre were unaware of the illegality involved in some of their maneuvers.

The scandal centers around federal money from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families fund, distributed as block grants to each of the 50 states. It potentially dates back to 2016, when Human Services executive John Davis began directing multimillion-dollar lump sum payments to the Mississippi Community Education Center, a nonprofit that theoretically would then determine how the TANF money could be used. Davis did not make director Nancy New report how she spent the money.

Davis and New have both been arrested for their involvement in what follows. Favre and his legal representative have denied wrongdoing.

Most of this timeline relies on reporting from Anna Wolfe of Mississippi Today and the outlet's special report "The Backchannel."

July 2017: Favre first meets with officials about funding volleyball facility

Favre, interested in helping to fund a new volleyball facility for his alma mater at the University of Southern Mississippi, first asks for funding from the Mississippi Department of Human Services during a meeting on campus. Favre's daughter Breleigh ultimately played both indoor and beach volleyball at the school.

Among those in attendance were members of the USM athletics staff, DHS director John Davis and Nancy New, the executive for nonprofit organization Mississippi Community Education Center.

Aug. 2017: Text suggests Favre knew this could cause bad publicity

Favre sends a text to New asking, "If you were to pay me is there anyway the media can find out where it came from and how much?" followed by reassurance from New that those things wouldn't be made public and, a day later, that Gov. Bryant is on board. These messages came to light Sept. 13, 2022.

Oct. 2017: Funding for volleyball facility begins using federal dollars

New commits $5 million to Southern Mississippi Athletic Foundation to rent all athletic facilities in a five-year lease agreement. Because TANF funds weren't permitted to be used for "brick and mortar" construction, the parties craft an agreement to satisfy federal law; as part of the deal, the foundation would use the facility (called the "Wellness Center") for programs to help needy families. One former employee said the facility was never used for that. The $5 million is the biggest known single expenditure within the misspent $77 million.

New's MCEC pays the first lump sum of $2.5 million to USM in November, with another $2.5 million to follow in December. Favre was paid under an agreement to advertise for the welfare program $500,000 in 2017 and $600,000 in June 2018, with that money expected to go toward the volleyball project.

June 2018: Construction on volleyball facility begins

Construction begins on the new volleyball facility, known as the "Wellness Center," initially projected as a $6 million project.

Nov. 2018: Favre advises startup executive to reach out to Gov. Bryant

Favre, who became involved with a biomedical startup called Prevacus in 2014, advised the company's founder, Jacob VanLandingham, to reach out to Gov. Bryant via text for support. Favre wrote, "Don't know if legal or not, but we need to cut him in."

Later texts show that Bryant used his political clout to help get the startup off the ground by finding investors and gaining favor with federal regulators and was offered stock upon his departure from the governor position in 2020. Bryant denies ever accepting the stock.

Out of $135 million in federal aid from the TANF program in 2018, Mississippi spent just 5% ($7.3 million) on direct cash assistance to poor families. In the same year, Human Services gave $44 million of those funds to MCEC and another nonprofit.

Jan. 2019: Favre looks for more funding, strikes deal with Nancy New for Prevacus

Still needing more money to finish the volleyball center, Favre reaches out hoping to meet with Davis and Bryant about more funding.

In a separate meeting with VanLandingham, Favre and New, the parties agree to direct grant funding to Prevacus, toward its development of an anti-concussion treatment. A payment of $750,000 was sent to Prevacus on Jan. 18, though a $1.7 million contract between MCEC and Prevacus wasn't signed until the next day.

June 2019: John Davis retires as director of Human Services

Davis, the director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services who directed money to New, retires early after 28 years with the agency. Behind the scenes, he'd been ousted by Gov. Bryant after a Human Services employee came forward with a tip about suspected fraud. Bryant appointed former FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze to take Davis' place.

When Favre inquires how Davis' departure might impact the volleyball facility, Bryant texts back: "I will handle that... long story but had to make a change. But I will call Nancy and see what it will take."

Summer 2019: Volleyball facility still a topic in text messages

A text exchange from Bryant to New: "Just left Brett Favre. Can we help him with his project. We should meet soon to see how I can make sure we keep your projects on course."

In August, a text exchange suggests the new volleyball facility could even be named after Bryant. Bryant has denied steering funds illegally to the project.

Sept. 2019: New and MCEC given more money shortly after meeting with Favre

Favre, New, Bryant and Freeze meet to discuss progress on the volleyball facility again.

Two days later, New receives a letter informing her that the welfare agency was increasing her TANF subgrant by $1.1 million, which the letter said was for the purpose of reimbursing payments the nonprofit made to its partners.

Nov. 2019: A new governor is elected

Tate Reeves is elected the next governor of Mississippi. Bryant was completing his second and final term according to state law.

Jan. 2020: Favre identified as a driving force behind volleyball venue

An Associated Press story cites Favre and his Favre4Hope Foundation as the driving force behind funds to build a volleyball center at USM.

Separately, now ex-governor Bryant has a text exchange with Jake VanLandingham about his company, Prevacus, and Bryant seems open to benefits from the company.

"Now that you're unemployed I'd like to give you a company package for all your help," VanLandingham writes in a Jan. 16, 2020, text. "...We want and need you on our team!!!"

"Sounds good," responds Bryant, who was getting ready to take over a private-sector lobbying firm. "Where would be the best place to meet. I am now going to get on it hard..."

Feb. 2020: State auditor announces charges of conspiracy

State auditor Shad White announces that former director of human services John Davis and nonprofit officials conspired to embezzle millions of dollars meant for services to poor Mississippians. Davis and colleague Latimer Smith are arrested, as are MCEC employees Nancy New, Zach New and Anne McGrew — the employees who were directing federal money inappropriately — as well as retired pro wrestler Brett DiBiase.

"The funds that were illegally obtained in this case were intended to help the poorest among us," White said. "The funds were instead taken by a group of influential people for their own benefit, and the scheme is massive. It ends today."

Davis and Smith are accused of manufacturing documents to funnel money to DiBiase from TANF; the invoices indicated the money compensated DiBiase for teaching classes about drug abuse, but DiBiase was in a luxury rehab facility for his own drug use and did not perform the services.

Nancy New and son Zach New were further accused of using TANF money to pay for personal investments.

A report from Mississippi Today reveals that $5 million in cash from the MCEC was used in the construction of the volleyball facility.

Bryant, the former governor, cuts ties with Prevacus following the arrests.

First half of 2020: Focus on Favre accelerates

In March, Favre denies that he discussed the volleyball center with Bryant in a text to Mississippi Today.

In May, an audit reveals that $1.1 million has been paid to Favre Enterprises for speaking events in which he did not show, and the state ordered him to repay the misappropriated funds. Favre makes an initial payment of $500,000, but the office of auditor Shad White says Favre still owes an additional $600,000. White says there is no indication Favre knew the money he was receiving was meant for helping needy residents and applauded Favre's offer to pay it back.

"Upon a cursory review of those dates, auditors were able to determine that the individual contracted did not speak nor was he present for those events."

Favre denies that he was a no-show.

Oct. 2021: Favre repays money to state of Mississippi

Favre repays the state of Mississippi the rest of the money but still owes $228,000 in interest in an as-yet unpaid cost. Favre reiterates on Facebook that he would never take money for no-show appearances.

April 2022: Zach and Nancy New reach plea agreement

Zach New admits in a plea agreement to defrauding the government when he participated in a scheme to disguise the brick-and-mortar construction of the volleyball facility as a lease.

Nancy New pleads guilty to four counts of bribing a public official, two counts of fraud against the government, six counts of wire fraud and racketeering. Zach pled guilty to many of the same charges, and both agreed to cooperate with prosecutors and testify against co-defendants, thus leading to many of the unearthed texts.

May 2022: Favre sued by Mississippi

Favre is sued by the Mississippi Human Services Department in an attempt to recoup $3.1 million from Favre, including payments made to Prevacus.

July 2022: Attorney fired after digging into case

Brad Pigott, a U.S. attorney representing the state's welfare agency, files a subpoena against the USM athletic foundation for communication with several key players, including Bryant and Favre.

Less than two weeks later, Pigott is fired from the case.

Pigott says he believes his firing was political; Human Services head Bob Anderson says Pigott was fired because he didn't consult with the agency before filing the subpoena naming a former governor. Mississippi Today obtained a July 1 email that showed Pigott sent a draft copy to the attorney general's office and welfare agency's general counsel 10 days before filing.

New governor Tate Reeves justifies not including USM in the lawsuit as part of his office's "objective process" but seems to have inadvertently made the volleyball facility a focal point.

Sept. 2022: Texts unearthed, providing insight

Texts available in court filings between Nancy New and other players in the case, such as Favre and Bryant, see the light of day.

On Sept. 21, reports indicated that John Davis, the former director of human services, would also plead guilty to both state and federal charges.

On Sept. 23, Good Karma said it was pausing Favre's radio appearances in Milwaukee.

On Sept. 25, the AP reported that new documents showed Favre also texted Bryant about a new indoor football facility at USM. A report in The Athletic indicates that Favre's own Favre 4 Hope charity provided more money to USM than to any other charitable partner.

Oct. 2022: Favre hires high-profile lawyer

According to Axios, Favre hires Eric Herschmann, a top White House lawyer to President Trump. There are still no criminal charges levied against Favre, and Herschmann says he does not believe Favre should be charged.

On Oct. 11, Favre releases a statement to Fox News Digital claiming he had been "unjustly smeared by the media" and reiterated that he didn't know money was being misappropriated from TANF for his requests and that he was never asked to appear at speaking engagements.

"No one ever told me, and I did not know, that funds designated for welfare recipients were going to the University or me," Favre stated. "I tried to help my alma mater USM, a public Mississippi state university, raise funds for a wellness center. My goal was and always will be to improve the athletic facilities at my university."

The article also quotes Mississippi State Auditor Shad White.

"Now, whether or not Mr. Favre knew that this money was specifically coming from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, there are no documents out in the public right now that suggest that," White said

"There are no documents that suggest that he knew the precise laws and regulations around TANF funds. But he did know it was government money, and he did know that it was coming from this agency. And of course, that agency is the agency that is responsible for handling programs that are geared toward helping the poor."