Jason Burgos
The son of WWE Hall of Famer “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase has avoided life in prison after being found not guilty of welfare fraud in Mississippi.
Former WWE tag champion Ted DiBiase Jr. has been on trial for his life since January. The one-time member of Legacy with Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes was facing a count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and theft, six counts of wire fraud. Two counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, and four counts of money laundering.
The charges were related to his alleged involvement in a massive welfare embezzlement scheme that swindled Mississippi’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program of $77 million in federal funds. If found guilty of all charges, DiBiase, Jr. would have been hit with a 185-year sentence. However, the WWE alum is officially a free man.
DiBiase, Jr. was found not guilty on all counts in a Mississippi federal court on Friday. The Mississippi Free Press noted that the former wrestler “silently wept” as the final verdict was read.
“In the end, the defense’s argument that it was Mississippi Department of Human Services Director John Davis who was the villain in the trial carried the day,” the Free Press reports. “From 2017 to 2019, Davis misdirected over $77 million in Mississippi welfare dollars, including to multiple sports celebrities.
“Davis directed millions to NFL quarterback Brett Favre and causes he supported, including building a volleyball stadium at his alma mater and funds for Prevacus, a drug company he heavily invested in.”
The Green Bay Packers legend and DiBiase’s Hall of Fame father are two of the defendants in an ongoing civil suit looking to claw back misappropriated funds. Davis was sentenced to 35 years for his role in the scheme four years ago, while DiBiase’s brother Brett pleaded guilty in 2023 to conspiracy charges and is still awaiting his sentence.
