Neuroscientist, CEO who pleads guilty in Mississippi welfare scandal case has local ties
A well-known neuroscientist and CEO who recently pleaded guilty to wire fraud in a Mississippi welfare scandal case has Tallahassee connections.
Jacob VanLandingham, whose work on a nasal spray to treat concussions was once touted across the nation through his drug company Prevacus, is a former assistant professor and researcher at Florida State University's College of Medicine, which he joined in 2004.
He pleaded guilty July 24 in federal court to wire fraud in connection with the Mississippi-based welfare scandal, which also put former NFL quarterback and Hall of Famer Brett Favre — who was an investor in Prevacus — in hot water.
Favre has not been charged with any crime in the case, but he remains a defendant in a related civil case filed in Hinds County.
Related news: Mississippi refuses to release internal audit that prompted welfare embezzlement scandal
VanLandingham, a Gadsden County native, received his associate of arts degree from Tallahassee State College in 1994 before moving on to graduate as class valedictorian from Florida A&M University in 1997 — where he got a bachelor's degree in physical therapy — and later earning a doctoral degree in neuroscience movement from FSU in 2004.
The VanLandingham family name is prominent in the Tallahassee community. Jacob's brothers Hugh and Cody, both doctors of medicine, are known for establishing Tallahassee Medical Group in 2022, which is a medical clinic that provides primary care.
While working at FSU, VanLandingham launched Prevacus at Tallahassee's Innovation Park, which is home to the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
Prevacus in the headlines: A local solution for concussion 'epidemic': Prevacus could be a football sideline staple
As previously reported by the Tallahassee Democrat in 2013, FSU’s Office of Research assisted VanLandingham early on, providing advice and seed money that was essential for creating Prevacus. VanLandingham also received a U.S. Patent Award during his time at the university.
But what was once expected to be the next big thing became a part of the ongoing Mississippi welfare scandal case.
More on the wire fraud
When VanLandingham appeared before U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves at Thad Cochran Federal Courthouse in Jackson, Mississippi, he admitted to using money he received through his company Prevacus for personal use — including gambling and paying off personal debt, according to court records.
The fraud activity began on or about Jan. 19, 2019 when VanLandingham, through Prevacus, entered into an agreement with the Mississippi Community Education Center, a charitable organization operated by Nancy New, who also pleaded guilty in the welfare fraud.
The wire fraud took place a few months later in July 2019 when VanLandingham participated in the interstate transfer of about $400,000 from an MCEC bank account to a Prevacus account.
VanLandingham faces up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
He will remain free on a $10,000 unsecured bond until his sentencing, which will be scheduled at a later date.
What we knew in 2020: Mississippi welfare embezzlement scandal: What we know so far
Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on X: @tarahjean_. Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Former FSU researcher pleads guilty to wire fraud in welfare scandal
