The reporter who exposed the Mississippi welfare scheme that implicated Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre is now facing prison herself.
Anna Wolfe won a Pulitzer Prize for uncovering the fraudulent ventures but could be in some hot water with the law following former governor Phil Bryant’s filing a civil lawsuit.
According to NBCNews.com, Wolfe and her editor, Adam Ganucheau, have been ordered to hand over internal documents bearing sensitive information, including the names of confidential sources.
They have no plans to do so, however, which could lead to them being found in contempt and imprisoned.
Shortly after Anna Wolfe won a Pulitzer Prize for exposing how millions in federal welfare funds for Mississippi went to athletes, cronies and pet projects, she and her newspaper are facing a defamation lawsuit from the state’s former governor.
@KenDilanianNBC reports. pic.twitter.com/maNLteNXqX— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) July 2, 2024
Bryant filed a defamation suit against Mississippi Today, in which he claimed he was wrongfully accused of criminal conduct.
Favre has filed suits of such nature against Pat McAfee and Shannon Sharpe, although the case against McAfee has been settled without money exchanging hands.
No One Has Been Jailed As A Result of The Mississippi Welfare Scheme
Mississippi Today has appealed the court order in the state Supreme Court. But Wolfe and Ganucheau would face contempt charges unless it’s overturned.
During her investigations, Wolfe uncovered and revealed that $77 million in federal funds meant for Mississippi’s poorest residents went elsewhere.
For Favre’s part, the former QB allegedly directed $5 million to the University of Mississippi for a new volleyball stadium and $2.1 million to Prevacus, a drug company in which he owned stock. He is also accused of taking $1.1 million for promotional work he never got around to doing.
Favre has not been charged with any crime, while no one has seen the inside of a prison cell as a result of the Mississippi welfare scheme.
That the reporter who exposed it all could be the first to do so is mindboggling.
“If one of us goes to jail, we will be the first person to go to jail in the Mississippi welfare scandal,” Wolfe told NBC. “How can I make promises to sources that I’m going to keep them confidential if this is possible?”
