Former director of Mississippi’s Department of Human Services, John Davis has pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection to the Brett Favre welfare fraud scandal.
Davis, 54, accepted a plea deal that will require him to testify against those involved in the case which could include the Hall of Fame quarterback. He is accused of misdirecting millions of dollars in federal welfare funds toward multiple projects including $5 million for the construction of a new volleyball facility at Favre’s alma mater.
“The State and Defense have announced that a global plea resolution has been reached between the State, the federal authorities and the Defendant, John Davis, whereby the Defendant, John Davis, has agreed to fully cooperate, including providing truthful testimony at trial, with the State and all federal authorities in the prosecution of any and all additional criminally charged defendants, in State or Federal Court, for the criminal misuse of Federal TANF grant funds, ” said a court filing in the Circuit Court of the 1st Judicial District of Hinds County on Wednesday.
According to the Mississippi Free Press, the filing said that Davis would “enter a guilty plea to five counts of Conspiracy and thirteen counts of Fraud Against the Government” and that “all parties have agreed that the Defendant, John Davis, will serve all of his incarcerated time in the custody of the Federal Bureau of prisons.” He is also pleading guilty to two federal charge involving allegations that he diverted money to a company owned by retired pro-wrestler Ted “Teddy” DiBiase Jr.
Favre is connected to the scandal for receiving payments from the same funds for speeches he never gave. He has since repaid some of the funds and proclaims to not know the funds intended for welfare, were being funneled to his alma mater where his daughter played volleyball. Text message suggest otherwise.
Today marks an important day for justice for Mississippians in the massive welfare scheme that my office uncovered more than two years ago. District Attorney Jody Owens and his team did an incredible job putting a stop to the flow of money to the fraudsters who took from the poorest in the state.
Mississippi State Auditor Shad White
We would not be here if they had not shown courage and the willingness to charge these individuals with crimes. We are also grateful for our federal partners and their work obtaining a guilty plea this week, too. My team has given every piece of evidence we have to federal investigators and will continue to work jointly with them to see this matter to its conclusion.
