The 53-year-old is at the center of the controversy but has denied any wrongdoing, though his association with the scandal has seen the former pro-footballer lose a number of endorsement deals.

The U.S. Census has stated that Mississippi has the highest rate of poverty in the U.S.. One in five people live with it, which includes 28 percent of children in the state.

Favre’s alleged involvement was that he received $1.1 million, intended for welfare recipients, in exchange for the former Packers star making a number of speeches and appearances.

The state auditor has said that Favre didn’t keep his side of the deal. Court filings have included text messages showing the former quarterback was involved in discussions that saw $5 million of welfare money diverted to the construction of a volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi, which is where his daughter Breleigh played the sport.

The money that was paid for Favre’s appearances and the volleyball facility came through nonprofit organisation Mississippi Community Education Center.

Nancy New, who ran the organisation, has pleaded guilty to state charges of misusing public money.

The former head of the state’s Department of Human Services, John Davis, has pleaded guilty to federal counts of conspiracy and theft and state counts of conspiracy and fraud against the government. Davis has also agreed to testify against the others.

Professor Michael McCann, the founding director of the Sports and Entertainment Law Institute at the University of New Hampshire, told Newsweek that leaks to the media could mean Favre would not get officially charged for his part in the scandal.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Favre denied any wrongdoing: “No one ever told me, and I did not know, that funds designated for welfare recipients were going to the University or me.

“I tried to help my alma mater USM, a public Mississippi state university, raise funds for a wellness center.

“My goal was and always will be to improve the athletic facilities at my university.”

Favre wrote: “State agencies provided the funds to Nancy New’s charity, the Mississippi Community Education Center, which then gave the funds to the University, all with the full knowledge and approval of other State agencies, including the statewide Institute for Higher Learning, the Governor’s office and the Attorney General’s office.

“I was told that the legal work to ensure that these funds could be accepted by the university was done by State attorneys and State employees.”

Favre has since paid back the $1.1 million he was paid for speeches and appearances, but there is still a sticking point over the $228,000 in interest that is still outstanding.

McCann told Newsweek that there needs to be more implicit information about Favre’s involvement in the scandal to determine whether he would face charges.

He said: “I think it is too early to know if Favre will face criminal charges. For one, we don’t have all the facts. We’ve seen allegations in lawsuits and leaks to media, but the information that’s been publicly shared is likely selective.

“We also know that prosecutors have cut plea deals with some of the defendants, which means they have agreed to share testimony and evidence that could implicate others.

“We also know there is ongoing civil litigation that could unearth implicating evidence and that there appears to be a healthy flow of leaks to the media from those involved in the situation,” said McCann.

“So I think the big takeaway is, it is too early to know if prosecutors/grand jurors will believe Favre’s conduct met the elements of a crime.

“We know he insists he knew of no wrongdoing. We’ll see how well that holds up to scrutiny over time.”

Shad White, who is the state auditor, says he discovered the fraudulent activity and misspending and told Fox News Digital: “The volleyball court needed to be used to benefit the needy in Hattiesburg.

“And fast-forward to today, what we know now is that the volleyball court has not been used to benefit the needy.

“So, this is an unallowable use of [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)] funds for a few different reasons. And for those reasons, it doesn’t matter that the attorney signed off on this,” said White.

“What matters is that it simply is not an allowable use of TANF funds, and it’s our job in the auditor’s office to point that out when we see it.”