NFL Legend Brett Favre Faces New Criticism After Development in Welfare Fraud Scandal

NFL legend Brett Favre is facing renewed criticism for his role in a welfare fraud scandal in Mississippi that could soon land a pair of journalists in jail.

Reporter Anna Wolfe and editor Adam Ganucheau uncovered a scandal around the state's spending of welfare funds, which included $1.1 million given to Favre for speaking fees. The journalists are now being sued for defamation by the state's former governor and could land in jail if they do not follow a court order to hand over internal files that include the names of confidential sources, NBC News reported .

The journalists, who won a Pulitzer Prize for their reporting, say turning over information about confidential sources would be a "threat to journalism."

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“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 News. “How can I make promises to sources that I’m going to keep them confidential if this is possible?”

The development has led to new criticism toward Favre, who was ordered by Mississippi’s state auditor to replay the money he was given. Many sounded off on the NFL Hall of Famer, wondering why he hasn't faced the same level of consequences for his role in the scandal.

"$77 million in welfare money did not go to the women and children in Mississippi, as it was supposed to, some of that money went to Brett Favre??? and the reporter who broke that story may be arrested??" one person shared on X .