Nov 8th 2026 08:08am

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

$94 million for Mississippi's poor spent on concerts, cars and wrestlers in state's 'largest embezzlement scandal'

$94 million for Mississippi's poor spent on concerts, cars and wrestlers in state's 'largest embezzlement scandal'

Posted: May 6th 2020 By: Alex Woodward - Independent.co.uk

Federal welfare grants in nation's poorest state paid for companies owned by Brett Favre and pro wrestlers, speeding tickets, lobbyists, phone bills and other 'egregious' charges, audit reveals

Nearly $100 million in federal grant funds intended to support programmes for Mississippi's poor were spent on cars, lobbyists, concerts, football games and companies run by former NFL quarterback Brett Favre and a family of professional wrestlers, among other charges listed in a 100-page audit revealing the state's largest-ever embezzlement scheme.

More than $94 million in grants from the Mississippi Department of Human Services (DHS) were "misspent, converted to personal use, spent on family members and friends of staffers and grantees or wasted" on dozens other expenses, according to a report from state auditor Shad White.

The audit "shows the most egregious misspending my staff have seen in their careers" in Mississippi, Mr White said in a statement. "When you read this one-hundred-plus page audit, you will see that, if there was a way to misspend money, it seems DHS leadership or their grantees thought of it and tried it."

Monday's report follows the February arrest of John Davis, the former DHS director, for his alleged role in the scheme.

Five others were also charged, including Nancy New, who led one of two nonprofit groups charged with misspending millions of dollars in funds for the state's poor. All have pleaded not guilty.

The misspending has put further scrutiny on how the state administers support for low- and no-income families with money from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programme.

TANF replaced the previous federal welfare system in 1996 by issuing block grants to states, leaving it up to the states to determine how to spend the money.

Mr Davis had spent several decades working with the state's welfare agency before he took the helm in 2016, becoming responsible for administering hundreds of millions of dollars in annual funds intended to benefit Mississippi's poor.

But Mr Davis "saw it as an opportunity to build a kingdom" in the agency, Mr White said on Monday.

Ms New, director of the Mississippi Community Education Centre, had allegedly used funds to buy three cars, at more than $50,000 each, and pay cell phone bills and other costs "for a variety of members of the New family".

Her organisation also used funds to pay for one of her speeding tickets, the report says.

The nonprofit group had also paid $1.1 million to Favre Enterprises, a company run by the football Hall of Famer, to appear at speaking arrangements and autograph events at which he never actually appeared, according to the report.

With nearly 20 per cent of Mississippi residents live in poverty, the state continues to rank as the most-poverty-stricken state in the US, according to an annual report on the state of the nation's poor in US News & World Report.

According to the audit, large sums were also paid to former professional wrestling family of Ted DiBiase, Ted DiBiase J. and Brett DiBiase for "work that was not performed, for unreasonable travel costs, or with little proof" that the spending benefited needy residents.

The funds were also used to hire lobbyists and consultants without any paperwork that showed what the lobbyists did with the funds, according to the report.

Funds were also spend on fitness programmes for state legislators, religious concerts, football tickets, and advertising at the NCAA basketball tournament and a college football bowl game, the report says.

Mr White said the audit should serve as a "wake-up call to everyone in government" that "the old way of doing things, where you do whatever your boss or a person who controls a lot of money tells you to do, or you ignore the law around how to spend money because you think no one is looking — those days are over."

 

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

1
The Son Who Carried His Father's Mask Into The Von Erich War

The Son Who Carried His Father's Mask Into The Von Erich War

A borrowed name. That's what Stephan Simpson stepped into the ring with in 1984, because his father ... Read More

All Columns

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1967 Billy Red Lyons became the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 2009 3rd Rail def. Se7en for the SWCW Luchadore Title
  • 2009 Se7en became the SWCW Luchadore Champion
  • 2014 Bobby Starr def. Guy Atticus for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 2019 Gorgeous Garcia def. Brock Landers for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 2025 Stephen Nitro became the NAW Indigenous Land Champion
  • 2025 Rex Mori def. Rook Tyler for the TexPro Dynasty Title

Week of Sun 11-08 to Sat: 11-14

  • 11-08 1967 Billy Red Lyons became the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 11-08 2009 3rd Rail def. Se7en for the SWCW Luchadore Title
  • 11-08 2009 Se7en became the SWCW Luchadore Champion
  • 11-08 2014 Bobby Starr def. Guy Atticus for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 11-08 2019 Gorgeous Garcia def. Brock Landers for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 11-08 2025 Stephen Nitro became the NAW Indigenous Land Champion
  • 11-08 2025 Rex Mori def. Rook Tyler for the TexPro Dynasty Title
  • 11-09 1960 Danny McShain became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 11-09 1976 The Spoiler def. Bill Watts for the TSW North American Title
  • 11-09 1978 Ron Bass became the TSW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 11-09 1986 One Man Gang def. Terry Gordy for the UWF Heavyweight Title
  • 11-09 1986 Savannah Jack def. Buddy Roberts for the UWF Television Title
  • 11-09 1986 Bill Irwin & Leroy Brown def. John Tatum & Jack Victory for the UWF Tag Team Titles
  • 11-09 2002 Sonny C def. Butch Dalton for the OCW Oklahoma Television Title
  • 11-09 2002 Dexter Hardaway def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
  • 11-09 2012 Kyle Kelly def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Title
  • 11-09 2012 The Swamp Men (Amphibian & Reptile) def. The Legion of Bromance (Justin Lee & Max McGuirk) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 11-09 2013 Michael Wolf def. Kidd Krash for the OWA Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 11-09 2013 The Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) def. The Sharpe Brothers (Chaz Sharpe & Richard Sharpe) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-09 2013 Kidd Krash def. Michael Wolf for the OWA Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 11-09 2019 Double D def. Dexter Hardaway for the EmpCW Heavyweight Title
  • 11-09 2024 Birdman def. Umbra for the WAH Spotlight Title
  • 11-09 2024 Hell's Kitchen (The Canadian Red Devil & The Lunchador) def. The Grudge (Dr. Corvus & Giganto) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
  • 11-10 1976 Bill Watts & Billy Robinson def. Karl Kox & Ken Patera for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 11-10 1987 Matt Borne def. Ted Arcidi for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 11-10 2002 Kool Ade def. Li'l Joe for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 11-10 2002 Jeffrey Parker def. Kool Ade for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 11-10 2007 Cheerleader Melissa became the AACW Womens Champion
  • 11-10 2007 Oliver John became the AACW Internet Champion
  • 11-10 2007 Jack Dalton [2nd]/Jack Legacy became the AACW Mid-American Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 11-10 2007 J. D. Rebel & Fuel became the SECW Tag Team Champions
  • 11-10 2011 Uncle Mikey & Michael Titus became the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 11-10 2018 Alex Royal def. J. D. for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 11-11 1964 Danny Hodge became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 11-11 1985 Eddie Gilbert & The Nightmare def. Wendell Cooley & Al Perez for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 11-11 1988 Eric Embry def. Jeff Jarrett for the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Title
  • 11-11 2006 Mustafa Sharmoot def. Glen Steel for the AACW Heavyweight Title
  • 11-11 2017 Running Wolf def. Dusty Gold for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 11-11 2022 Nova Phoenix became the CPW Women’s Champion
  • 11-11 2022 Koko def. Tommy Dean for the CPW Heavyweight Title
  • 11-12 1979 Bill Watts & Buck Robley def. Mike George & Bob Sweetan for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 11-12 2002 Baby B def. Jeffrey Parker for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 11-12 2011 The Jersey Kings (Scott Riley & King James) def. Pork Chop & Shane Cortez (subbing for Big Smooth) for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-12 2022 Ronnie Morton def. Ryan the Ripper for the RDW Brass Knucks Title
  • 11-12 2022 Andrew Fenix def. Dove Puro for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 11-12 2022 San La Muerte became the WAH Spotlight Champion
  • 11-12 2022 Elijah Sparks def. San La Muerte for the WAH Spotlight Title
  • 11-13 1950 Verne Gagne became the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 11-13 1964 Angelo Savoldi def. Hiro Matsuda for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 11-13 1965 Jack Brisco became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 11-13 2010 Arrogant Money (Randy Price & Austin Tacious) def. Awesome X (Kevin Morgan & Xavior) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-13 2010 Awesome X (Kevin Morgan & Xavior) def. Arrogant Money (Randy Price & Austin Tacious) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-13 2015 The Pen Palz (Skyler Fayden & Dimitri Alexandrov) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 11-13 2015 Lance Osburn became the SRPW United States Champion
  • 11-13 2015 Jon Cross def. Riker for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 11-13 2021 Rebel Hearts (Christian Temple & Justin Gray) def. The Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) for the EPW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-13 2021 Striker def. Warren Powers for the EPW All-American Title
  • 11-13 2022 Subject to Death (Leo Fox & Derek James & Cade Fite) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 11-13 2022 Derek James became the BPW Lion Heart Champion
  • 11-13 2022 Cappuccino Jones def. Derek James for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 11-14 1980 Bruiser Brody def. Stan Stasiak for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 11-14 2009 Goldeneye def. Sage for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 11-14 2009 John O'Malley def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 11-14 2009 Running Wolf def. Michael H for the 412PE Heavyweight Title
  • 11-14 2010 Greatness On Demand (Rage Logan & Damon Windsor) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 11-14 2015 Aaron Neil def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 11-14 2015 Nemesis (Bobby Starr & Damien Morte) def. The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-14 2015 Rolling Thunder became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 11-14 2020 Alex Royal def. Sam Stackhouse for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 11-14 2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. Tim Rockwell for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
11-08
  • Treach Phillips, Jr. Nov 8th Today!
  • Rika Wildlee Nov 8th Today!
  • Austin Mulitalo Nov 8th Today!
  • Dizzy Davis Nov 8th Today!
  • Kolossus Nov 9th
  • Lance Osburn Nov 9th
  • Joyce Grable Nov 9th
  • Nick Patrick Nov 9th
  • Jean-Claude Boudreaux Nov 9th
  • Gil Knutson Nov 9th
  • Menace 2 Society Nov 9th
  • Kinzer Keel Nov 10th
  • Danny Savich Nov 10th
  • Bob Orton, Jr. Nov 10th
  • Marshall Von Erich Nov 10th
  • Prince Tapu Nov 10th
  • Brandon Moxley Nov 11th
  • Green Dragon Nov 11th
  • Little Cloud Nov 11th
  • Luigi Columbo Nov 11th
  • Alex Perez Nov 11th
  • Ty Thunder Nov 12th
  • Austin Tacious Nov 12th
  • Vickie Lynn McCoy Nov 12th
  • Brett Taylor Nov 12th
  • Terrale Tempo Nov 12th
  • Thud Powell Nov 12th
  • Gary Tool Nov 12th
  • Varik Vayne Nov 12th
  • Big Smooth Nov 13th
  • L. J. McDaniels Nov 13th
  • Kirk Castle Nov 14th
  • Kyle Kelly Nov 14th
  • Tiny Bell Nov 14th
  • Shane Sanders Nov 14th
  • Killer Cross Nov 15th
  • Sean Pearl Nov 15th
  • Super Beast Nov 15th
  • Armin Syzlack Nov 15th
  • Killer Cross Nov 15th
  • Brieanna Bringle Nov 16th
  • Kikutaro Nov 17th
  • Kenny K Nov 17th
  • Snowman Nov 17th
  • Johnny Graves Nov 17th
  • Johnny Weaver Nov 17th
  • Chase Bristow Nov 17th
  • Drake Gallows Nov 17th
  • Brent Wall Nov 17th
  • Josh Hogan Nov 17th
  • Chris Russo Nov 18th
  • Reaper Nov 18th
  • Everett Kibbons Nov 18th
  • Ricky Gibson Nov 19th
  • Turnbuckle Tim Nov 19th
  • El Matador Uno Nov 20th
  • Casey Platinum Nov 20th
  • Red Berry Nov 20th
  • S. L. U. G. G. Nov 20th
  • Johnny Rich Nov 21st
  • Babs Wingo Nov 21st
  • Afa Nov 21st
  • Shane Douglas Nov 21st

More Look Back In History

Card Results

1