Verdict Reached For Ex-wwe Star Accused Of Misusing Millions In Welfare Funds

A erstwhile master wrestler, Ted "Teddy" DiBiase Jr., has been acquitted of each charges related to Mississippi’s largest nationalist corruption scandal, wherever he was accused of misusing millions successful use funds.

A assemblage connected Friday found him not guilty of 13 counts, including conspiracy, ligament fraud, theft, and money laundering.

Federal prosecutors had alleged DiBiase fraudulently obtained millions of national use dollars, diverting them for individual purchases specified arsenic a vehicle, a boat, and a down costs connected a home.

U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger acknowledged nan verdict, stating, "While I stay assured successful our case, I respect nan jury’s verdict. I commend nan prosecution squad for their diligent efforts." DiBiase’s ineligible representatives were not instantly disposable for comment.

DiBiase, a WWE wrestler successful nan 2000s and 2010s, was nan only individual charged successful nan sprawling ungraded to look a assemblage trial. The contention first emerged successful 2020 pinch nan indictment of John Davis, nan erstwhile head of nan Mississippi Department of Human Services, alongside respective others, including DiBiase’s brother, erstwhile pro wrestler Brett DiBiase.

Indictments accused Davis of funneling national costs to 2 nonprofits, which past issued "sham contracts" to various entities, including respective companies owned by DiBiase, for societal services that were ne'er rendered. DiBiase’s companies reportedly received complete $2 cardinal for services for illustration activity outreach, an emergency nutrient assistance assessment, and a programme for inner-city youth.

These costs originated from national safety-net programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and nan Emergency Food Assistance Program, intended to assistance nan nation’s astir vulnerable. The Mississippi authorities auditor reported that much than $77 cardinal successful TANF costs were misspent.

John Davis, aggregate nonprofit executives, and Brett DiBiase person each pleaded blameworthy to charges connected to nan scheme. The ungraded besides implicated high-profile figures specified arsenic erstwhile Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and retired NFL backmost Brett Favre, some of whom contradict wrongdoing and person not faced criminal charges.

Favre, nan DiBiase brothers, and their father, Ted DiBiase Sr., known arsenic nan "Million Dollar Man," are among dozens named successful a civilian suit revenge by nan Mississippi Department of Human Services seeking to retrieve complete $20 cardinal successful misspent money.