Former professional wrestler Theodore “Ted” DiBiase Jr. was acquitted of all criminal charges in his indictment in Mississippi’s welfare fraud scandal
A jury has cleared former WWE star Ted DiBiase Jr. of all criminal charges in his indictment related to Mississippi’s welfare fraud scandal. After hearing from at least two dozen witnesses during the trial, the jury deliberated for roughly four hours on Friday, March 20, before delivering the not guilty verdict.
DiBiase, aged 43, was facing one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and theft concerning programmes receiving federal funds, six counts of wire fraud, two counts of theft concerning programmes receiving federal funds, and four counts of money laundering. DiBiase had previously pleaded not guilty to all charges and did not testify in his federal case.
Federal prosecutors accused DiBiase of misusing millions of dollars in federal funds intended for impoverished families and low-income individuals in Mississippi. Prosecutors claimed DiBiase received money linked to welfare programmes through “sham contracts” for services that were never provided, whilst the defence argued that DiBiase was a legitimate contractor.
The scheme allegedly involved the misuse of over $77 million (£57 million) in federal aid given to the state under programmes, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF.
The federal government accused DiBiase Jr. – son of 1980s-era WWE wrestler Ted “The Million Dollar Man” DiBiase – of stealing more than $1 million (£790,000) in federal public assistance funds by using “sham contracts” with two non-profit organisations that controlled the funds. The money allegedly came fr
from two federal public assistance programmes: the Emergency Food Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
The federal government also alleged DiBiase used the money to purchase a truck, a boat, a trip to Disney and a roughly $1.5 million (£1.1 million) lakeside home in the Madison community of Reunion, which the federal government has since seized.
The defence contended DiBiase was, and is a kind, professional businessman who was motivated by a desire to help people. The defence argued that “nobody” who testified during the trial could say DiBiase “wasn’t performing” in his role. The defence said DiBiase scheduled training, set up business meetings and accepted contracts without pushing back on the terms or offered payment amounts.
DiBiase is one of several people charged with crimes in the case, including a former human services director, a well-known nonprofit founder and DiBiase’s brother. DiBiase was the only one actively contesting the charges.