Defendant: Ex-governor ordered payments to NFL’s Brett Favre

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – A defendant in a Mississippi welfare fraud case says she directed $1.1 million in welfare money to former NFL star Brett Favre at the direction of former Gov. Phil Bryant.

Mississippi news outlets report that the accusation, which Bryant denies, is in a filing on behalf of defendant Nancy New.

New has pleaded guilty to criminal charges. Her court filing is in a civil case filed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

Bryant issued a statement denying the accusation.

Favre has repaid the money and has said he didn’t know it had come from welfare funds. Favre has not been charged with criminal wrongdoing.