A former professional wrestler, Ted “Teddy” DiBiase Jr., has been acquitted of all charges related to Mississippi’s largest public corruption scandal, where he was accused of misusing millions in welfare funds.
A jury on Friday found him not guilty of 13 counts, including conspiracy, wire fraud, theft, and money laundering.
Federal prosecutors had alleged DiBiase fraudulently obtained millions of federal welfare dollars, diverting them for personal purchases such as a vehicle, a boat, and a down payment on a home.
U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger acknowledged the verdict, stating, “While I remain confident in our case, I respect the jury’s verdict. I commend the prosecution team for their diligent efforts.” DiBiase’s legal representatives were not immediately available for comment.
DiBiase, a WWE wrestler in the 2000s and 2010s, was the only individual charged in the sprawling scandal to face a jury trial. The controversy first emerged in 2020 with the indictment of John Davis, the former director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, alongside several others, including DiBiase’s brother, former pro wrestler Brett DiBiase.
Indictments accused Davis of funneling federal funds to two nonprofits, which then issued “sham contracts” to various entities, including several companies owned by DiBiase, for social services that were never rendered. DiBiase’s companies reportedly received over $2 million for services like leadership outreach, an emergency food assistance assessment, and a program for inner-city youth.
These funds originated from federal safety-net programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Emergency Food Assistance Program, intended to aid the nation’s most vulnerable. The Mississippi state auditor reported that more than $77 million in TANF funds were misspent.
John Davis, multiple nonprofit executives, and Brett DiBiase have all pleaded guilty to charges connected to the scheme. The scandal also implicated high-profile figures such as former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre, both of whom deny wrongdoing and have not faced criminal charges.
Favre, the DiBiase brothers, and their father, Ted DiBiase Sr., known as the “Million Dollar Man,” are among dozens named in a civil lawsuit filed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services seeking to recover over $20 million in misspent money.
