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John BarrESPN.com
Marcus Dupree rose to prominence in Mississippi and beyond following a short but impressive football career. An ESPN documentary featured his story about the alleged involvement in a sprawling welfare fraud case. This case also involved Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Brett Favre, as well as dozens of other people.
The Mississippi Department of Human Services filed a lawsuit in May alleging that Dupree illegally received hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal welfare money intended for the state’s most vulnerable families. In an interview with ESPN, Dupree denied any wrongdoing on Wednesday.
Dupree stated, “I don’t like being lumped in something like I took cash.” “It was too hard for me to be right, so I don’t like what is happening.”
Dupree, 58, grew up in Philadelphia, Mississippi, where his highlight-reel-worthy performances as a high school running back made him the most sought after football recruit in the country. Dupree, who was a star in his freshman season in Oklahoma in 1982 and continued to be a strong player throughout his career. But injuries eventually hampered Dupree’s success. The ESPN 30 for 30 documentary “The Best That Never Was” featured his football career.
Dupree, who was post-playing, maintained a local-celebrity position within his state. He frequently appeared at public events and functions staged by his foundation.
However, his name did not appear in national media frequently until results of a Mississippi state audit became public. In May, a lawsuit was filed by the state against Dupree and his foundation as well as dozens of other defendants.
According to the civil suit, Dupree was paid $371,000 in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Funds (TANF funds) from August 2017 to September 2019.
The Mississippi Department of Human Services’ Families First for Mississippi initiative, which was run by two non profits, illegally funneled federal welfare money directly to Dupree. This in exchange for Dupree’s role as a “celebrity endorser and motivational speaker.”
Mississippi Today launched an investigation that revealed that Dupree’s non-profits had mispent or stolen at least $77million from welfare funds. It is considered the worst case of state corruption.
Dupree said he was “shocked” to learn that Nancy New, head of one non-profit, the Mississippi Community Education Center, had pleaded guilty 13 felony charges of fraud, bribery and racketeering. Dupree stated that he did not know that the money New used for his payment had been taken from misappropriated welfare funds.
A 2019 state audit revealed that Dupree was paid in part for “equine-assisted learning,” which Mississippi’s State auditor, ShadWhite, said meant “teaching people to ride horses”.
White stated that the office found “limited evidence” that Dupree or any other person ever offered such services to those in need.
Dupree claims he mentored teens on his 15-acre horse farm in Flora Mississippi.
“I mentored my children through horses by being responsible, cleaning the stalls and, if they got good at that, I would let them ride a horse. Many parents wanted their children to be close to me. Dupree stated that I am passionate about what we did, and that the state should be talking about “Oh none of this happened”, Dupree added.
Dupree stated that he could not quantify the number of times he mentored teenagers at his horse ranch, but he claims that over the two-year period, he also made 20-30 appearances for Families First as a liaison, traveling to Mississippi to speak in schools and record radio commercials.
“I was all across the state. Dupree explained that she signed a contract, and did her job.
ESPN received photos of what appears to be teenage boys from Dupree, who he claims he mentored at Flora’s stables. Also, photos from a variety of public appearances.
White stated, “If Mr. Dupree wants to argue that the amounts that he was paid were reasonably justifiable for the number of speeches he delivered and can show proof of those speeches, he’ll be able to do that argument in court.”
Dupree’s foundation bought the Flora horse farm and Flora residence for $855,000. According to Zillow, the home, which measures 4,100 square feet and has five bedrooms, is worth just over $1,000,000
White’s office conducted an audit and found that $171,000 of TANF money was used to make the down payment for Dupree’s house and other property.
White stated to ESPN that such purchases would be prohibited by TANF funds because they prohibit the purchase of real property. White also pointed out the “unreasonability” of using federal welfare money intended for job training or assistance for needy families to purchase a five-bedroom house and a horse farm for an employee.
According to state audit, the non-profit that donated the money to Dupree also “guarantees the residence through the bank with six-year lease from March 31, 2018 through April 1, 2024.” According to the audit, the monthly rent payments for the property were $9,500.
Dupree stated that he does not intend to pay the state back as White’s office demanded. Dupree said, “I have an attorney and I’m just awaiting to see how it all turns out.”
J. Matthew Eichelberger was Dupree’s lawyer and sent White a bluntly written letter in October 2021.
“Neither Mr. Dupree nor his foundation will make any payment in response your request.” Eichelberger wrote that Mr. Dupree was the one who earned the money and had no reason to believe that the money was being misused by state officials.
Six people have been charged in connection with the ongoing welfare fraud case. Five people pleaded guilty.
While Brett Favre will not be facing criminal charges, he is still a defendant in the civil lawsuit that the state of Mississippi filed in May. Text messages reveal that Favre pressured Phil Bryant (the former Mississippi governor) to get $5 million to fund the construction of a new volleyball centre at his alma mater, University of Southern Mississippi. This was where his daughter played the game. Favre denied any wrongdoing.
Dupree stated that negative media coverage of Favre’s recent events has damaged his reputation.
“I’m being lumped in alongside whatever Brett Favre or the Governor were doing. It was something I didn’t know. It shocked me when it happened. I cannot wait to go to court. I don’t know what Brett did. Marcus is my only witness.”