Trials & Litigation
State supreme court vacates sanctions against retired NFL player’s defense counsel
Former NFL player Brett Favre is shown here at the 2020 Super Bowl. The Mississippi Supreme Court has vacated sanctions leveled against one Favre’s lawyers in a state civil lawsuit involving misspent welfare funds. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
The Mississippi Supreme Court has vacated sanctions leveled against one of retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre’s lawyers in a state civil lawsuit involving misspent welfare funds.
In July 2024, Hinds County Circuit Judge Faye Peterson in Mississippi held that Daniel Koevary—Favre’s defense counsel, who is based in New York City—violated the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure by “repeatedly demanding hearings for matters unrelated to and not within the jurisdiction of this court to resolve.”
The judge ordered Koevary to pay the costs associated with motions that were “filed for harassment and delay” and said all future pleadings and motions should be handled by local counsel.
But on Thursday, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled that Koevary was denied due process because he was not given notice that the trial court was considering sanctions or an opportunity to respond.
“No show cause notice was issued,” according to the state supreme court’s opinion. “Nor was Koevary asked to appear at a hearing or submit a brief to defend against the assertion that he filed motions for the purpose of harassment and delay. Given the lack of due process, the sanctions order should not stand.”
The Mississippi Supreme Court remanded the case back to the lower court for further proceedings.
The Mississippi Department of Human Services filed the suit in 2022 against Favre and more than three dozen other people and companies who allegedly misspent money from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
Mississippi Auditor Shad White said Favre improperly received $1.1 million in speaking fees from a nonprofit that spent the money with the department’s approval. Favre, who is not facing criminal charges, repaid the state the money that he received.
The Mississippi Clarion Ledger has additional coverage.
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