Latest news with #PhilBryant
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sound Off: May 24, 2025
Sun Herald readers weigh in on local and national topics: The ongoing crisis at the southern border demands serious attention, yet many Americans are frustrated by what they see as a partisan divide over basic enforcement of immigration laws. Critics argue that Democratic leadership often downplays legitimate concerns about border security, even as communities grapple with the consequences of illegal immigration—from strained public services to increased burdens on law enforcement. Criminal elements exploit the chaos, and Americans deserve policies that prioritize safety, order, and national sovereignty. Rather than dismissing these concerns as xenophobic, political leaders on all sides should acknowledge the real impact on everyday citizens and work toward secure, humane, and lawful immigration reform. You can say what you want about President Trump, but the situation at our southern border is unquestionably exponentially better than under President Biden. For President Trump to have appointed former Governor Phil Bryant to oversee the re organization of FEMA is just beyond our comprehension! Mississippi was the hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. Then Bryant got mixed up in the welfare funds scandal with Brett Favre. What's to become of us? If Donald Trump can say before a crowd Liz Cheney should be shot, Jim Comey can post what he wants on social media. I thought JD Vance ran on freedom of speech. The ignorant abuse of power continues as Republican DHS now wants to prosecute Former FBI Chief James Comey, accusing him of making a threat against President Trump by interpreting his 'seashell' design 86 47 to be a death threat. Apparently Homeland Security has nothing else to do but seek retribution. Many rural hospitals, including in Mississippi, are not delivering babies. All this fighting against abortions was just to control women. There is very little actual support for babies or children. It was also a tactic to generate votes. President Trump has banned Harvard from accepting foreigners. Looks like he's getting ready for another court loss. Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@
Associated Press
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Judge dismisses former Mississippi governor's defamation lawsuit against news outlet
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit by former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant that claimed a local news outlet defamed him in public comments about its Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting on the misspending of $77 million in federal welfare funds. The one-page ruling Friday by Madison County Circuit Court Judge Bradley Mills sided with lawyers for Mississippi Today, who had argued that the news outlet engaged in constitutionally protected speech. 'For the past 22 months, we've vigorously defended our Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting and our characterizations of Bryant's role in the Mississippi welfare scandal,' Mississippi Today said in a statement on its website. 'We are grateful today that the court, after careful deliberation, dismissed the case.' Bryant filed suit in 2023, weeks after Mississippi Today and one of its reporters, Anna Wolfe, won a Pulitzer Prize for her coverage of how welfare funds intended for poor Mississippians — some of the most impoverished people in the U.S. — were diverted to the rich and powerful. Bryant's lawsuit didn't challenge the accuracy of Wolfe's series, 'The Backchannel,' that shed light on the welfare scandal. Instead, Bryant's lawyers argued that the news outlet, its CEO and other employees made slanderous comments about Bryant when discussing the series in public settings, including a radio interview and a speech at a journalism conference. Attorneys for Mississippi Today argued that the comments Bryant claimed had harmed his reputation were 'entirely or substantially true,' and that Bryant failed to show any of the statements were made with 'actual malice' — meaning they were knowingly or recklessly false. Because of that, the lawyers said, Bryant didn't meet the legal standard for politicians and other public figures to prove defamation as set by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1964. Bryant's attorney, William Quin II, said Monday he will appeal the judge's dismissal to the Mississippi Supreme Court. 'This matter is far from over,' Quin said in an emailed statement. 'Governor Bryant remains confident in the legal basis of this case, and the righteousness of this cause.' The nonprofit Committee to Protect Journalists praised the judge's decision to throw out the lawsuit. 'Suing news organizations just because you don't like their reporting is a crude intimidation tactic that can drain resources and discourage critical coverage,' Katherine Jacobsen, the committee's U.S. program coordinator, said in a statement posted on X. 'We hope that this case serves as a deterrent to those who would seek to sue outlets into silence.' Prosecutors have said the state's human services agency gave money to nonprofit organizations that spent it on projects such as a $5 million volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi — a project for which retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre agreed to raise money. Mississippi Auditor Shad White announced in February 2020 that criminal charges were brought against six people, including John Davis, a former Mississippi Department of Human Services executive director who had been chosen by Bryant. The announcement came weeks after Bryant, a Republican, finished his second and final term as governor. Davis and others have pleaded guilty. No criminal charges have been filed against Bryant, and he has said he told the auditor in 2019 about possible misspending of money from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families antipoverty program. Favre also has not been charged with a crime. The Pro Football Hall of Famer is among more than three dozen defendants in a civil lawsuit the state filed in 2022. The suit demands repayment of money that was misspent through TANF. White, the Republican state auditor, said in 2020 that Favre had improperly received $1.1 million in speaking fees from a nonprofit organization that spent welfare money with approval from the state Department of Human Services. White said Favre did not show up for the speeches. Although Favre repaid the $1.1 million, White said last year that he still owes nearly $730,000 in interest.
Washington Post
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Judge tosses former Miss. governor's suit against Pulitzer-winning reporter
A Mississippi judge this week dismissed former governor Phil Bryant's defamation lawsuit against a news nonprofit that investigated his connections to a $77 million public welfare scandal, sparing the newsroom from being forced to reveal internal documents and confidential sources it used for the Pulitzer-winning series. The dismissal was widely applauded by press freedom groups that viewed the suit as an effort to punish Mississippi Today and its journalists for scrutinizing government officials.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Could defamation suit between Phil Bryant and Mississippi Today head to the state supreme court?
A defamation lawsuit between a former Mississippi governor and Deep South Today, owner of Mississippi Today, an online news outlet, could be heading to the Mississippi Supreme Court. On Friday, Madison County Circuit Court Judge Bradley Mills dismissed a lawsuit in which Republican Gov. Phil Bryant claimed that Mississippi Today defamed him when some of its personnel made public statements characterizing his alleged role in a $100 million welfare scandal. Those remarks were given based on a Pulitzer Prize winning investigative series, "The Backchannel" by Anna Wolfe, which detailed the misuse and allocation of millions of dollars in federal funds via the Mississippi Department of Human Services. Mills in his order dismissing the lawsuit, said the court agreed with a motion to dismiss put forth by Mississippi Today's attorneys in June 2024. That motion, among other things, stated that Bryant had failed to plead any legally viable claims. "We are pleased the Court dismissed former Governor Phil Bryant's baseless defamation lawsuit against Mississippi Today," the news outlet's attorney Lee Crain told the Clarion Ledger via a written statement. "Mississippi Today's Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting on the former Governor's role in the State's recent welfare scandal is exactly the type of reporting the First Amendment was intended to protect, and it exemplifies why the Mississippi Constitution calls the right to a free press 'sacred.' The Court's decision honors those constitutional rights and ends once and for all Governor Bryant's unconstitutional crusade against Mississippi's free press.' Mississippi Today lawsuit: Lawsuit between Phil Bryant and Mississippi Today could send shockwaves throughout journalism Bryant, also in a written statement to the Clarion Ledger, said he intends to appeal the decision to the Mississippi Supreme Court. "This matter is far from over," Bryant said. "We plan to appeal. Justice can be found in our court systems when all of facts are finally presented. We will appeal this decision to the Mississippi Supreme Court in continued pursuit of the truth and for others who have been and will be wrongly accused and defamed.' The lawsuit was initially filed by Bryant in 2023 in the Madison County Circuit Court over comments made by Mississippi Today CEO Mary Margaret White during a speaking engagement. What White was referring to was Mississippi Today's news series 'The Backchannel' which delved into how at least $77 million in Temporary Assistance to Needy Family funds was funneled through MDHS and into the hands of those who misspent the money, meant for the state's poorest residents, on private projects. Feds want money back: Mississippi welfare scandal: US wants state to repay $101 million. What to know Bryant has neither been charged nor formally implicated by prosecutors in the welfare scandal case. Several of the people implicated in the reporting and through Mississippi State Auditor investigations have been criminally convicted in relation to the welfare scandal. In May, the Madison County Circuit Court ordered Mississippi Today to hand over confidential sources and other documents related to their coverage as discovery. Mississippi Today argued that violated its constitutional rights. Mississippi Today appealed that decision to the state Supreme Court, but the panel of judges chose not to hear the appeal. The dismissal of the case comes weeks after the federal government issued a letter to the Mississippi Department of Human Services demanding $110 million be paid back that were wrongfully spent during the welfare scandal. "For the past 22 months, we've vigorously defended our Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting and our characterizations of Bryant's role in the Mississippi welfare scandal," Mississippi Today said in a post to its website on Friday. "We are grateful today that the court, after careful deliberation, dismissed the case." Grant McLaughlin covers the Legislature and state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@ or 972-571-2335. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Phil Bryant to appeal defamation lawsuit dismissal
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mississippi welfare scandal: US wants state to repay $101 million. What to know
The federal government has asked Mississippi to return an estimated $101 million in misspent welfare funds. It's the latest update in a fraud scandal that rocked the state. This letter marks the first time the U.S. government has sought to get back the funds. Tens of millions of dollars to help families in need was embezzled through two nonprofits, and $5 million was used to build a sports facility at the University of Southern Mississippi. Several people faced legal charges, and some lawsuits related to the case are ongoing. Here's what we know about the case so far and where matters stand. According to the letter, as provided to WLBT, Mississippi is "subject to a penalty amount of $100,880,029" for fraud from the Mississippi Department of Human Services ranging from 2016-2019. The money was taken from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, and the state was denying effectively all requests for aid during the time funds were being embezzled. Former Gov. Phil Bryant was not named in the letter, though the allegations took place during his tenure. According to the Administration for Children & Families, the total being requested is the result of two forensic audits. The state had 60 days to accept the finding, dispute the penalty, ask for an exemption. There's also the option to enter a corrective compliance plan to show how Mississippi plans to follow federal policies for TANF money in the future. According to the letter, about $12.4 million in waste came from three categories: Payments indicative of conflicts of interest for former Former Mississippi DHS Director John Davis: $1,112,285. Payments indicative of Davis' undue influence and favoritism: $7,448,078. Other instances of possible fraud, waste or abuse: $3,824,631. The bulk of the total, $88.5 million, was listed as misused and listed by grantee disbursement: MDHS: $15,049,501. 100 Black Men of Jackson: $223,063. Autism Center of North Mississippi: $75,000. Family Resource Center of NE Mississippi: $16,385,895. Heart of David Ministries: $558,048. Jackson Medical Mall Foundation: $21,364. Mississippi Alliance of Boys & Girls Club: $669,399. Mississippi Community Education Center: $52,829,887. Mississippi State University: $1,659,806. Moore Community House Inc.: $144,599. The University of Southern Mississippi: $838,473. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program started in 1996 to help low-income families meet basic needs. States allocate block grants through the program. Many have called for changes to TANF due to its lack of restrictions, which could open the door to misuse. Former NFL player Brett Favre has been accused in the case but has not been charged with a crime. A Mississippi Department of Human Services lawsuit seeking to recoup the funds from Favre and others is ongoing. Several people have pleaded guilty in relation to the case. Davis pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of fraud against the government in federal court. In exchange for the 2022 plea and his willingness to testify against others, the state dropped its charges. Mother and son Nancy and Zachary New pleaded guilty in 2022 on several charges, including bribing a public official, fraud against the government and wire fraud. Ann McGrew, the accountant for the Mississippi Community Education Center, pleaded guilty to conspiracy in 2021. Prevacus founder Jacob VanLandingham pleaded guilty in 2024 to taking more than $1.7 million for developing the drug from TANF funding. Dale "Brett" DiBiase, a former deputy administrator for the Mississippi Department of Human Services, pleaded guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to defraud the government in 2023. He also pleaded December 2020 to one count of making a false statement. At the time, he'd agreed to pay $48,000 in restitution. Latimer Smith, who worked for DHS, was indicted and accepted into a pretrial intervention program. According to a 2020 audit report from State Auditor Shad White and several subsequent reports, those funds went to several wealthy people and groups for various reasons. It was spent on luxury vehicles, sponsoring a baseball tournament, sports programs, a private school, lobbying, hiring relatives of a top state official, medical investments and paying Favre for speeches he never gave. Five million dollars were used to build a volleyball arena at the University of Southern Mississippi. The money was funneled through Mississippi Community Education Center and Family Resource Center of North Mississippi, which both did programs under Families First Resource Center. Davis reportedly controlled a lot of the money himself, and the nonprofits hired his relatives, giving his nephew and brother-in-law more than $1 million. The groups also reportedly gave funds to wrestlers Ted DiBiase, Ted "Teddy" DiBiase Jr. and Brett DiBiase. Prevacus is a biotech company based in Florida that was given welfare funds. It was developing a concussion drug. Favre reportedly hoped the drug could help himself and others. The News and Farve worked to bolster the company. Brett DiBiase said he took $48,000 for work he didn't do through Restore2, a limited liability corporation. About $160,000 was reportedly used to send him to a luxury drug rehab facility. Ted DiBiase Sr., 'The Million Dollar Man," is now a motivational speaker and evangelist. His Heart of David ministries reportedly got $2.1 million in welfare funds. Teddy DiBiase has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, six counts of wire fraud, two counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and four counts of money laundering. The criminal case is still being processed in federal court. From 2024: MS Auditor releases book on welfare scandal. See what he says about Brett Favre, key players In 2022, the Mississippi Department of Human Services filed a lawsuit against Favre and more than three dozen others individuals, companies and groups. The lawsuit seeks to claw back millions. Favre repaid $500,000 in speaking fees to the state in May 2020 and $600,000 in October 2021. He has said he didn't know where the money came from. White sued Favre in early 2024, arguing he still owes more than $729,000 because of growing interest on the funds he initially owed. (Favre has also sued White for defamation, including how he was portrayed in the auditor's book on the scandal.) As part of testimony to Congress on program reform, Favre said he "didn't know what TANF was" when the scheme started. He disclosed he now has Parkinson's disease. (The risk can be increased by concussions.) Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch tried to stop White in court, arguing her office is the only one with the right to try to recoup the money. Her suit was dismissed by Hinds County Chancellor Dewayne Thomas in December, and Fitch has appealed to the Mississippi Supreme Court. Mary Boyte, Grant McLaughlin and Lici Beveridge contributed to this report. Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Welfare scandal: US wants $101M back from MS. Where did the money go?
