Former WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase Jr. has been officially charged with multiple felonies in relation to the welfare fraud scandal in Mississippi.
DiBiase, Jr. is being accused of misappropriating millions of dollars that were intended for needy families. He allegedly fraudulently obtained money from The Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
The FBI, HHS-OIG, USDA-OIG, and IRS-CI are investigating the case. The charges include one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, six counts of wire fraud, two counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, and four counts of money laundering.
DiBiase Jr. faces up to 5 years in prison should he be found guilty for the conspiracy charge while he faces a maximum of 20 years for each fraud count. There’s more as he faces 10 years for every theft count that concerns “programs receiving federal funds and for each count of money laundering.”
Pwinsider is reporting that Mississippi Southern District Court’s Judge Carlton W. Reeves has recused himself from the criminal trial. Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac will now oversee the trial.
As a result, the trial has a new start date of January 7, 2025.
Former WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase Jr. is facing serious legal trouble as he has been officially charged with multiple felonies in relation to a welfare fraud scandal in Mississippi. The charges against him involve the misappropriation of millions of dollars that were meant to support needy families.
DiBiase Jr. is accused of fraudulently obtaining money from two government assistance programs: The Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. These funds were intended to provide essential support to those who are struggling financially.
The case has caught the attention of several federal agencies, including the FBI, HHS-OIG, USDA-OIG, and IRS-CI, who are currently investigating the matter. The charges brought against DiBiase Jr. include one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, six counts of wire fraud, two counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, and four counts of money laundering.
If found guilty of the conspiracy charge, DiBiase Jr. could face up to 5 years in prison. Each fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, while each theft count related to programs receiving federal funds and each count of money laundering could result in a 10-year sentence.
In an interesting development, Mississippi Southern District Court’s Judge Carlton W. Reeves has recused himself from the criminal trial. As a result, Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac will now oversee the trial. This change has also led to a new start date for the trial, which is set for January 7, 2025.
The charges against DiBiase Jr. highlight the seriousness of welfare fraud and its impact on society. Welfare programs are designed to provide crucial support to those in need, and any misappropriation of funds undermines the purpose and effectiveness of these programs. It is important for individuals to be held accountable for their actions to ensure the integrity and fairness of such programs.
As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how the case will progress and what the outcome will be. The charges against DiBiase Jr. serve as a reminder that no one is above the law, regardless of their fame or status.