WASHINGTON–Concussions, Parkinson’s Disease and the rigors of a 20-year football career could not add up to the challenge caused by the “welfare scandal”, said Brett Favre, in testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee in Washington, revealing to the committee that he’s recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
Favre was there to encourage Congress to reform the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, of TANF.
Favre and others were accused of misusing TANF funds in the scandal. Favre said that charities are close to his heart and that once he found out the funds were being misused in activities like building a volleyball court at Southern Miss, he gave the money back.
“When this started I didn’t know what TANF was. Now I know that TANF is one of the country’s most important welfare programs to help people in need,” said the Pro Football Hall of Famer.
Favre said a gag order prevents him from going into specifics about how and why he was sued, but did offer some harsh words for State Auditor Shad White.
“I got swept up in a civil lawsuit at the instigation of State Auditor Shad White, an ambitious public official, who decided to tarnish my reputation to advance his own political career,” said Favre, adding that he has sued White for defamation.
Throughout the testimony Favre proclaimed his innocence in the events of 2020 and prior. He also encouraged Congress to reform TANF and the way the money is spent.
“Importantly I have learned that nobody was or is watching how TANF funds are spent, Our laws don’t sufficiently protect against TANF spending unrelated to helping people out of poverty,” he said. “States have too much flexibility on how they spend this money, which leads to waste and abuse.”
