Thompson Ask DOJ to Investigate Phil Bryant’s Participation In Directing TANF Funds to Ineligible Individuals

(Washington D.C.) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson released a letter to the Department of Justice regarding a recent court filing on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program Embezzlement Scheme in Mississippi.

“It has come to my attention that the State of Mississippi has consistently misspent Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. Specifically, Governor Phil Bryant is alleged to have steered money toward individuals who did not meet the criteria for eligibility.”

In 2018, the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) received $135 million in TANF dollars, yet $77 million of those dollars were misdirected due to the influence of the governor’s office. Governor Phil Bryant has clearly taken actions consistent with ensuring Mississippi’s poorest citizens are denied welfare funds meant to benefit their households.

“Mississippi State Auditor, Shad White, has identified numerous questionable and possibly illegal expenditures relative to the misspent TANF funds in a 2020 audit report. Phil Bryant should have known better than to do what he did with this funding meant for families in need.”