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FILE - In this July 30, 2012, file photo, former NFL quarterback Brett Favre speaks to the media in Hattiesburg, Miss. Favre says he couldn't be happier to see Peyton Manning on the brink of breaking his NFL record of 508 touchdown throws. Manning has 503 heading into Denver's road game Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, against the New York Jets.  (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
FILE - In this July 30, 2012, file photo, former NFL quarterback Brett Favre speaks to the media in Hattiesburg, Miss. Favre says he couldn't be happier to see Peyton Manning on the brink of breaking his NFL record of 508 touchdown throws. Manning has 503 heading into Denver's road game Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, against the New York Jets. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

Brett Favre Tweets He Was Unaware About $1.1M Payment for Unattended Events

Adam WellsMay 7, 2020

Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre says he had no knowledge of $1.1 million in payouts he received for speaking engagements he never attended.Ā 

Writing about the situation on Twitter, Favre explained he was "unaware" of the funds received and is refunding the amount in full back to the state of Mississippi:

"My agent is often approached by different products and brands for me to appear in one way or another. This request was no different, and I did numerous ads for Families First.Ā I have never received monies for obligations I didn't meet. To reiterate [Auditor Shad White's] statement, I was unaware that the money being dispersed was paid for out of funds not intended for that purpose, and because of that, I am refunding the full amount back to Mississippi.

"I have spent my entire career helping children through Favre 4 Hope donating nearly $10 million to underserved and underprivileged children in Mississippi and Wisconsin.

"It has brought a ton of joy to my life, and I would certainly never do anything to take away from the children I have fought to help! I love Mississippi and I would never knowingly do anything to take away from those that need it most."

On Wednesday,Ā Mississippi state auditorĀ Shad WhiteĀ announcedĀ his office received a $500,000 payment and a commitment to pay another $600,000 over the next few months from Favre.Ā 

White's officeĀ released a reportĀ Monday that showedĀ theĀ Mississippi Department of Human Services paid outĀ $94 millionĀ in welfare funds to two nonprofit organizations that misused the money.Ā 

John Davis, the state's formerĀ Department of Human Services director, wasĀ arrestedĀ in February along with five others on embezzlement charges after theyĀ allegedlyĀ misusedĀ $4 million in fundsĀ from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.Ā 

The audit notedĀ Favre Enterprises received two payments totaling $1.1 million for events, including three speaking engagements,Ā one radio appearance and one keynote address thatĀ "a cursory review" showed the former Green Bay Packers star never attended.Ā 

Favre wasn't accused of any wrongdoing in the situation.Ā