JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi State Auditor Shad White will no longer be represented by Attorney General Lynn Fitch’s office in his defamation lawsuit filed by former NFL quarterback Brett Favre. This decision was revealed in a filing by Fitch’s office on Friday. A letter obtained by Front Office Sports from an attorney in Fitch’s office explained that the decision was made due to statements made by White in his forthcoming book that questioned the integrity of the Attorney General and her office.
In February of last year, Favre sued White, along with Pat McAfee and Shannon Sharpe, over statements made about Favre’s alleged ties to the Mississippi welfare scandal. The cases filed by McAfee and Sharpe were transferred from Mississippi county courts to federal court, and both settled without money changing hands. White’s book, titled “Mississippi Swindle,” was included in an amended complaint by Favre in the defamation case against White.
Favre’s attorney argues that White’s book confirms that his previous statements about Favre were not made in the scope of his official duties but rather to advance his personal political ambitions and make money. As a result, Fitch’s office decided to withdraw as counsel for White in order to have the ability to publicly refute these statements.
White’s office will also take over as counsel for Favre’s defamation lawsuit and another defamation case filed by a University of Mississippi professor. This is not the first conflict between White and Fitch, as White has previously questioned Fitch’s commitment to pursuing criminal charges in the welfare scandal.
While county and federal prosecutors have filed charges against several individuals involved in the scheme, Fitch’s office has not yet filed any indictments. Fitch stated that her office has done an admirable job in the defamation cases and will continue to work with the Auditor’s Office on related tasks.
Favre denies wrongdoing and has not been criminally charged. He is among more than 40 defendants sued in May 2022, and his defense team has sought to highlight the alleged culpability of former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant in the misappropriation of federal funds.
In summary, Mississippi State Auditor Shad White will not be represented by Attorney General Lynn Fitch’s office in his defamation lawsuit filed by Brett Favre. This decision was made due to statements made by White in his upcoming book that question the integrity of the Attorney General’s office. Favre’s lawsuit against White, Pat McAfee, and Shannon Sharpe stems from allegations of their involvement in a welfare scandal. McAfee and Sharpe settled their cases, while Favre’s case is ongoing. The state’s lawsuit to recover misappropriated funds is being led by an outside law firm.