Former WWE star Ted DiBiase Jr. was found not guilty on Friday of all criminal counts in his Mississippi welfare fraud conspiracy trial after being accused of misappropriating tens of millions of dollars intended for families in need. The son of WWE Hall of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, and former Legacy stablemate alongside Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes, was indicted by the US Department of Justice almost three years ago. He was charged with the theft of tens of millions of dollars in federal funds.
In response to the Mississippi Clarion Ledger, jurors deliberated for around 4 hours. DiBiase Jr.’s trial began on January 6, though was halted for over a month shortly after it began, resulting from an illness suffered by his lead defense attorney. The Ledger reported DiBiase faced 13 counts, including 4 counts of cash laundering and two counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. The previous WWE talent pleaded not guilty to the fees and didn’t testify within the federal case. He faced as much as five years in prison.
DiBiase Jr. spoke to local media following the conclusion of the trial, and a clip of his comments to WAPT News was posted to X. He said that the past seven years of “being slandered” had “about torn his family apart,” and he was thankful it was throughout.
Several high profile defendants were also initially named within the scandal, including “The Million Dollar Man” and his other son, Brett, in addition to former NFL quarterback Brett Favre. As of January, DiBiase Jr. was the one defendant to face trial. DiBiase Sr.’s friend, John Davis, the previous director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, is alleged to have given tens of millions of dollars in funds from the department to 2 corporations owned by DiBiase Jr. and a nonprofit owned by DiBiase Sr.