JACKSON, Miss. — Retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre is trying to expand his defamation lawsuit against Mississippi Auditor Shad White to include a book White wrote about the misspending of welfare money that was supposed to help some of the poorest people in the U.S.

White’s book, “Mississippi Swindle: Brett Favre and the Welfare Scandal that Shocked America,” was published in August. Favre’s attorneys wrote in court papers Friday that the title and the contents are defamatory.

“The book itself falsely states, among other things, that Favre had been ‘taking money he knew should go to people in ‘shelters,’’ and had been ‘trying to hide that fact from the media and the public,’ and also accuses Favre of committing the felony of money laundering,” Favre’s attorneys wrote.

White has said he is paying his own legal bills in the defamation case.

“Favre’s frivolous lawsuit has cost my family and me tens of thousands of dollars personally, but I will not back down from telling the truth,” White said in a text message to The Associated Press, responding to the court filing. “Favre will lose this case, just as he has the others.”

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch stopped representing White in the defamation lawsuit early this year after the announcement that White, a fellow Republican, was writing a book about the sprawling welfare case. White wrote that Fitch delayed an effort to recover misspent money and then recommended that the state use private attorneys for the job.

Favre is not facing criminal charges, but he is among more than three dozen people or businesses the state is suing to try to recover misspent money through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

White said in 2020 that Favre received speaking fees from a nonprofit organization that spent welfare funds with approval from the Mississippi Department of Human Services, but that Favre never showed up to give the speeches. The money was to go toward a volleyball arena at the University of Southern Mississippi. Favre agreed to lead fundraising efforts for the facility at his alma mater, where his daughter started playing on the volleyball team in 2017.

Favre has repaid $1.1 million, but White has said the Pro Football Hall of Fame member still owes about $730,000 because interest caused growth in the original amount he owed.

Favre filed defamation lawsuits in February 2023 against White and two former NFL players who became sports broadcasters, Shannon Sharpe and Pat McAfee, over comments each had made about him and welfare misspending.

A federal appeals court on Sept. 16 refused to revive Favre’s lawsuit against Sharpe, which a district court judge had dismissed.

In May 2023, Favre dropped his lawsuit against McAfee after McAfee apologized for saying Favre had been “stealing from poor people in Mississippi.”

There were several top performers across the state in girls high school sports, but only one can be voted athlete of the week for Sept. 23-28.

Fans may vote in the poll BELOW one time per hour per device. The poll closes at noon on Friday.

To nominate a future athlete of the week, email mchavez@gannett.com or message him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.

To submit high school scores, statistics, records, leaders and other items at any time, email mchavez@gannett.com.

Nominations

Ava Davis, Our Lady Academy: Davis had 31 assists, three kills, two aces and two digs in Our Lady Academy’s 3-0 win over East Central.

Allie Kate Hall, Lewisburg: Hall recorded 28 digs in Lewisburg’s 3-2 win over Hernando.

Sophie Sosa, Jackson Academy: Sosa had 46 kills, 23 blocks, 10 digs and four aces for Jackson Academy in eight matches.

Claire Wicker, Oxford: Wicker had 33 assists, 24 digs and 13 kills in Oxford’s two wins over Brandon and Germantown.

Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.

PHILADELPHIA, Miss. (WTOK) -This year is Bentley’s 7th annual trail ride event, and he and his family are looking to raise more money for the children of Mississippi Hospital.

When Bentley Strickland was born, he was diagnosed with Hurler Syndrome, and out of that diagnosis came a boy full of life and yearly events that raised money like no other.

This two-day event begins on Friday, October 18th, and will carry over into Saturday, October 19th.

Bentley invites everyone from around the state to come out and enjoy a mule pull, trail ride, live auction, fellowship, and so much more.

Bentley’s Ride started as a fundraiser for the Strickland family, but it has since grown into a much bigger event that raises money for the Children of Mississippi Hospital in Jackson, MS.

“We’re just blessed that everybody wants to come out and support not just Bentley, but I mean, he’s the apple of our eye for sure, but it is just amazing how people give so much or whatever, you know, don’t have to be a big amount you give not just for him but for the hospital. You know, there are so many kids all over the state, and without that hospital, they wouldn’t be able to live the life that they live,” says Kyle Strickland, Bentley’s father.

“This ride really took off. I think the first year we did it to make money for the hospital, it was $2,000, and this last year was a little over $131,000. Our goal every year is to make it bigger and better, but at the end of the day, we don’t raise but $50,000; that’s more money than the hospital had, so people give from the bottom of their hearts whatever they want to give. Times are hard, but Bentley, everybody likes him. They may not like me, but they know who Bentley is, that’s for sure. He lights up in everybody’s eyes, and I’m just so thankful that he’s my son and that people come and support him and the Children’s Hospital,” Kyle says.

For more information on the ride, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/259108723883439/?paipv=0&eav=AfZ-uLYZUMZQpe9pBXmHehY4mJFKW7VO9k1AW9m0eLB6IBGaDESsK-mDfEi4XMmEaps&_rdr.

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