Former pro wrestler Theodore ‘Ted’ DiBiase Jr. was charged ‘with misappropriating millions of dollars in federal safety-net funds intended for needy families and low-income individuals in Mississippi,’ the Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs announced on Thursday.
DiBiase Jr., who is the son of Ted Dibiase Sr. aka ‘The Million Dollar Man,’ reportedly funneled millions of dollars from two charity organizations who received money from The Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families effort. DiBiase Jr. received the money via two businesses he had set up and he bought a boat, a car and put a down payment on a house.
In 2020, the federal government attempted to seize DiBiase Jr.’s Madison, Mississippi, home after he was suspected to be part of the welfare scandal.
This is the same scandal that involves Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre. The state of Mississippi is investigating individuals who funneled away $77 million from programs intended to help families in need. Favre has not been charged with a crime, but is named in the state’s lawsuit for directing money to the volleyball program at his alma mater, among other activities. He has paid back $1.1 million he received for a speaking engagement and wants his name removed from the lawsuit.
Among the charges filed against DiBiase Jr. are six counts of wire fraud, four counts of money laundering and two counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.
The former WWE wrestler could face up to 120 years in prison if he is found guilty of all counts of wire fraud. The other charges carry up to 65 years.
DiBiase’s brother, Brett, pleaded guilty last month to one count of conspiracy to defraud the government, but is not expected to testify in the ongoing case.