Arlean Gilleylen of Monroe County, Mississippi, has been charged with fraud after receiving $38,522 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by misrepresenting her household’s income and composition, WLBT reports.

According to the Mississippi Department of Human Services’ (MDHS) Investigations Division, Gilleylen failed to report crucial financial and household details, leading to the improper distribution of benefits meant for low-income families.

In recent years, Mississippi has intensified its investigations into welfare fraud, addressing multiple cases of misuse of both SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. The state has dealt with a series of fraud and embezzlement cases, including the largest public welfare embezzlement scandal in Mississippi’s history, which has involved several high-profile individuals and nonprofits.

Among those implicated is former NFL quarterback Brett Favre, who allegedly received $1.1 million for speaking engagements that he never conducted. These funds came from the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which is intended to help the state’s most vulnerable residents.

Favre has denied any wrongdoing and claimed that he returned the money. However, investigations revealed that the money was part of a larger scheme involving former Mississippi welfare officials, who funneled federal welfare funds to various projects and individuals, including Favre. 

Part of the funds was also directed towards the construction of a volleyball stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi, Favre’s alma mater, where his daughter played volleyball. The funds were redirected through nonprofits tied to the state’s welfare agency.

Clique, while we don’t condone theft, we ain’t mad at granny who got a bag (full of groceries) when Favre out here blatantly stealing and getting away with it. 🤷🏾‍♀️