The money was to be used for the benefit of the most vulnerable citizens of the state. Text messages reveal Bryant’s backchannel of influence to raise Prevacus outside of public view — and the potential payout that was awaiting him after he resigned. Read the whole story: Phil Bryant wanted a payout as welfare money flowed to Brett Favre 1. Bryant used his office to help Prevacus leaders connect with funding sources and high ranking employees of the country’s drug regulatory agency. 2) Prevacus allegedly stole $2 million from federal grants administered through the Mississippi Department of Human Services. The money was transferred through a non-profit organization that had almost no oversight and no transparency. Prevacus offered Bryant shares in exchange for his assistance while he was still president. The governor informed the owner of the company that he would not accept incentives packages until the day after his departure from office. Bryant seemed ready to accept the stock but abruptly ended their relationship after the auditor made high-profile, public arrests in relation to the welfare scandal. 4) Prevacus owner Jake Vanlandingham, Favre and Favre saw Bryant as their ticket for government funding for the private enterprise. Favre and Vanlandingham went to great lengths over several months to keep Bryant informed and in their corner. They devised strategies to use the governor’s influence on the Mississippi Department of Human Services, which is the state’s welfare agency, as the pair became desperate for additional funding. Bryant claims he did not know that federal welfare money was being given to the drug firm. Texts over a period of months indicate that Favre and Vanlandingham gave the governor briefings about the welfare agency he oversees and the powerful charity subgrantee that passed funds to the drug firm. Bryant claims he didn’t read the texts well enough to comprehend that Prevacus was receiving taxpayer funds from the subcontractor of the agency. This is despite Favre and Vanlandingham having told Bryant by text three times. READ MORE: Q&A interview with former governor Phil Bryant on Prevacus and the welfare scandal 7) Bryant claims that Prevacus was created to encourage job creation in the state. He didn’t involve his economic development agency in this work, as is the usual path that governors follow when trying to attract companies to Mississippi. Bryant kept all his business dealings with Prevacus private and worked to get the Mississippi Gulf Coast Development to establish a clinical trials center. He is also listed as vice-president. Prevacus did not develop the anti-concussion medications it claimed to have developed, and Vanlandingham sold his idea to another company. Mississippi taxpayers don’t have any evidence of the investment. 8) Bryant fired John Davis, his director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, after investigators from the auditor’s offices inquired about whether welfare funds were being misappropriated. He had given federal grant money to individuals and organizations that were close to the governor without much oversight. Bryant’s former FBI agent agency director implemented a standard bid process to receive grant funds. Prevacus leaders and grant recipients asked the governor for assistance. Read the whole story: Phil Bryant wanted a payout while welfare funds flowed towards Brett Favre