A massive welfare scandal in Mississippi, a volleyball facility, and Brett Favre: A conversation with Mississippi Today investigative reporter Anna Wolfe

Sports Media with Richard Deitsch

Episode 242 of the Sports Media Podcast features Anna Wolfe, an investigative reporter writing about poverty and economic justice at Mississippi Today. In this podcast, Wolfe discusses her eye-opening and vital reporting on an alleged massive criminal scandal in which prominent Mississippi officials misspent or stole millions in welfare funds intended for the nation’s poorest residents; the involvement of Brett Favre; the unfortunate truth that it took the star power of Favre to bring national attention to the case; the text messages of former Gov. Phil Bryant to Favre; what happened when Wolfe asked Favre questions by text in 2020; auditors finding that nonprofit leaders misspent at least $77 million in welfare funds and whether that number is actually low; dealing with Favre’s lawyer; where Favre’s potential criminal liability stands; the role of celebrity and sports celebrity in this story; the challenge of this type of reporting; the comparison of the cost of a volleyball stadium versus child care for 920 families, and more.

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