(AP) – A Mississippi judge has removed one of the attorneys representing retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre in a state civil lawsuit that seeks to recover welfare money that was supposed to help some of the poorest residents in the U.S. but went to projects pushed by wealthy and well-connected people.

Favre is still represented by other lawyers in the case that the Mississippi Department of Human Services filed in 2022 against him and more than three dozen other people, groups and companies.

Hinds County Circuit Judge Faye Peterson wrote Thursday in her removal order that one of Favre’s New York-based attorneys, Daniel Koevary, had violated rules for Mississippi civil court procedures by repeatedly demanding hearings “for matters unrelated to and not within the jurisdiction of this Court to resolve.” Peterson also wrote that she deemed the behavior “an attempt to manufacture discord.”

The Associated Press sent email messages to Koevary on Friday and Monday asking for his reaction to Peterson’s decision.

Mississippi Auditor Shad White said in 2020 that Favre, a Pro Football Hall of Fame member who lives in Mississippi, had improperly received $1.1 million in speaking fees from a nonprofit organization that spent welfare money with approval from the Mississippi Department of Human Services. The welfare 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 repaid $500,000 to the state in May 2020 and $600,000 in October 2021, White said in a court filing in February that Favre still owes $729,790 because interest caused growth in the original amount he owed.

Favre is not facing any criminal charges. Former Mississippi Department of Human Services director John Davis and others have pleaded guilty to misspending money from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

White has said more than $77 million of welfare money was misspent from 2016 to 2019, including $160,000 for drug rehab for a former pro wrestler and thousands of dollars for airfare and hotel stays for Davis, who led the Department of Human Services during those years.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – Lots of love and happy tears filled the Beau Rivage Magnolia Ballroom as Make-A-Wish Mississippi held the 20th annual Martini Shakedown.

Attendees enjoyed a silent and live auction, great music, lots of food, and of course, martinis.

As the special guest entertainment arrived on stage, one local child learned that her wish would be coming true.

Eight-year-old Colbie Price learned that Make-A-Wish was sending her to Hawaii.

The proceeds from the event benefit Make-A-Wish, helping children in the area battling critical illnesses.

For more information on how to donate, visit their website.

See a spelling or grammar error in this story? Report it to our team HERE.

Copyright 2024 WLOX. All rights reserved.

We’re live in Dallas for SEC Media Days as we’re preparing for the 2024 SEC football season. The Mississippi State Bulldogs are making their appearance on Wednesday featuring head coach Jeff Lebby, quarterback Blake Shapen, offensive lineman Albert Reese IV and linebacker John Lewis.

Our postcard features a discussion around the Bulldogs as Lebby will be in front of the media for the first time as he’s leading his first college football program. What are the expectations with such a difficult schedule ahead of his program?

Check out our conversation and get ready for all the coverage on Mississippi State on SI on Wednesday.