Former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant has faced a major legal blow after a judge dismissed his defamation lawsuit tied to a $77 million welfare fraud scandal. The case, which also involves NFL legend Brett Favre, has drawn national attention and reignited debate over political accountability and press freedom in Mississippi..
The scandal, which initially came to light in 2020, centers around the alleged misappropriation of $77 million in federal welfare funds meant for the state’s most vulnerable. The exposé gained national attention when Mississippi Today released text messages in 2022, implicating both Bryant and Favre in a scheme to reroute $5 million to fund a volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi—where Favre’s daughter played at the time.Judge dismisses Bryant’s defamation case tied to explosive welfare fraud investigation
Former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant suffered a major legal defeat after a Mississippi court dismissed his defamation lawsuit against Mississippi Today, the news outlet that uncovered a multi-million-dollar welfare fraud scandal linking Bryant to NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre.
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Former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant faces legal setback in $77 million welfare scandal involving Brett Favre
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TOI Sports Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Apr 8, 2025, 07:01 IST
Former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant faces legal setback in $77 million welfare scandal involving Brett Favre
Former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant’s defamation lawsuit, lin… Read More
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Former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant has faced a major legal blow after a judge dismissed his defamation lawsuit tied to a $77 million welfare fraud scandal. The case, which also involves NFL legend Brett Favre, has drawn national attention and reignited debate over political accountability and press freedom in Mississippi.
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Judge dismisses Bryant’s defamation case tied to explosive welfare fraud investigation
Former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant suffered a major legal defeat after a Mississippi court dismissed his defamation lawsuit against Mississippi Today, the news outlet that uncovered a multi-million-dollar welfare fraud scandal linking Bryant to NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre.
The scandal, which initially came to light in 2020, centers around the alleged misappropriation of $77 million in federal welfare funds meant for the state’s most vulnerable. The exposé gained national attention when Mississippi Today released text messages in 2022, implicating both Bryant and Favre in a scheme to reroute $5 million to fund a volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi—where Favre’s daughter played at the time.
One of the most damning pieces of evidence was a message from Favre asking, “If you were to pay me is there anyway the media can find out where it came from and how much?” These revelations led to Mississippi Today winning a Pulitzer Prize for its investigative reporting.
Court sides with press freedom, calls lawsuit ‘baseless’
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Madison County Circuit Court Judge Bradley Mills ruled against Bryant, describing the defamation claims as unsubstantiated. The judge’s decision marked a victory for Mississippi Today, which had condemned the suit as an attack on journalistic integrity. “The reporting speaks for itself. The truth speaks for itself,” the outlet said in a statement following the ruling.
Bryant’s legal action had raised concerns over press freedom, with the potential for reporters Adam Ganucheau and Anna Wolfe to face contempt of court if the case proceeded unfavorably. However, the court’s dismissal allowed the journalists to avoid legal repercussions while reinforcing the protection of investigative journalism.
Despite the court’s decision, Bryant has no intention of backing down. His attorney, Billy Quinn, confirmed that they plan to take the case to the Mississippi Supreme Court. The former governor, who served from 2012 to 2020, continues to assert his innocence and appears determined to challenge the narrative built by the media and public opinion.
