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 along with Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes was facing six counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and theft. Two counts of theft, and four counts of money laundering related to programs receiving federal funds.
The charges were related to his alleged involvement in a massive welfare embezzlement scheme that embezzled $77 million in federal funds from Mississippi’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. If convicted on all charges, DiBiase, Jr. would have faced a sentence of 185 years. However, the former WWE player is officially a free man.
DiBiase, Jr. was found not guilty on all counts in Mississippi federal court on Friday. The Mississippi Free Press noted that the former wrestler “wept silently” as the final verdict was read.
The Free Press reports, “Finally, the defense argues that it was Mississippi Department of Human Services Director John Davis who was the villain in the trial.” “From 2017 to 2019, Davis misappropriated more than $77 million in Mississippi welfare dollars, including from numerous sports figures.
“Davis directed millions to NFL quarterback Brett Favre and actions he supported included the construction of a volleyball stadium at his alma mater and funding for Prevacus, a pharmaceutical company in which he invested heavily.”
The Green Bay Packers legend and DiBiase’s Hall of Fame father are two of the defendants in an ongoing civil lawsuit seeking to recover misappropriated funds. Davis was sentenced to 35 years in prison for his role in the scheme four years ago, while DiBiase’s brother Bret pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in 2023 and is still awaiting his sentencing.
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