Former WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase Jr. was charged Thursday with multiple crimes stemming from a welfare fraud scandal in Mississippi, according to NBC News’ Ken Dilanian.
According to the Associated Press’s Erica Hunzinger, DiBiase is part of the same program that involved Green Bay Packers legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre.
Hunzinger reported last year that millions of dollars intended to be spent on helping needy families in the state of Mississippi were allegedly being misappropriated.
DiBiase, along with father Ted Sr. – the WWE Hall of Famer known as the Million Dollar Man – and brother Brett have allegedly received millions of dollars through their businesses in return for services that were not rendered.
The elder DiBiase’s Heart of David Ministries reportedly received $1.7 million in welfare funds in exchange for providing “leadership training” that never happened, plus $250,000 through DiBiase Development Inc. for motivational speaking engagements. DiBiase was ordered to pay back $722,000 in a civil lawsuit.
DiBiase denied the allegations and moved to dismiss the civil suit.
DiBiase Jr. reportedly received over $3 million in government anti-poverty funding to conduct leadership training through Priceless Ventures and to support inner-city youth through Familiae Orientem, but the services were reportedly not delivered.
Favre reportedly received $1.1 million from the Mississippi Department of Human Services through the Mississippi Education Center in exchange for lectures Favre failed to complete.
It was reported that Favre planned to put the money into a new $5 million volleyball facility at Southern Mississippi University, where his daughter played volleyball.
Favre reportedly repaid the money, but as of October 2022 there was still $228,000 in outstanding interest.
John Davis, the head of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, theft and fraud in September 2022 and agreed to testify against others involved.
Davis also reportedly bestowed DiBiase, Jr. with the title of Director of Sustainable Change for the Mississippi Department of Human Services, although DiBiase is not employed by the state.
DiBiase Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps by entering the pro wrestling business in 2006. In 2008, he made his debut in the WWE main roster and was part of the Legacy stable with Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes.
He stayed with WWE until retiring in 2013, and while with the promotion, DiBiase Jr. was a two-time World Tag Team Champion.
DiBiase, 40, made sporadic appearances for independent wrestling promotions from 2013 to 2017, but has retired from full-time wrestling since leaving WWE.
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly identified Ted DiBiase Sr. as the accused. We regret the mistake.