Brett DiBiase has made a plea in the case against him connected with Mississippi’s largest welfare embezzlement scandal.

WLBT reports DiBiase pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States in US District Court. He previously pled guilty to two charges in Hinds County Circuit Court. 

Now, he awaits his sentence in state court and faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The Scandal

Brett was one of several people who were connected to the fraud where they were accused of the embezzlement of millions of dollars in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funding. Brett paid $48,000 through his business Restore2, LLC by using false claims to get the money as he covered up these payments by falsifying documents, invoices, books, reports, and ledgers.

Others involved in the case were indicted and later convicted. The names included were former DHS Executive Director John Davis, Nancy New, Zach New, and Ann McGrew.

The son of WWE Hall of Famer Ted Dibiase did work for WWE from 2008 to 2011 where he was used in FCW (Florida Championship Wrestling), then-WWE’s developmental territory where he was a Tag Team Championship.

The DiBiase wrestling family is among those being sued by Mississippi’s Department of Human Services over the alleged misspending of funds.

The Mississippi DHS issued a press release on Monday announcing that a civil complaint has been filed against the 38 people, who are alleged to have been responsible for or recipients of the funds.

The suit names both Ted DiBiase Sr. who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010 as well as his sons Ted Jr. and Brett.

Brett DiBiase pleaded guilty to charges related to the scandal in December 2020, after being arrested in February that year.

Brett was paid $48,000 by the DHS as a representative of the business “Restore2” and used false and fraudulent statements to receive payment.

Ted DiBiase Jr. was paid by the Mississippi Community Education Center to provide training to human services employees in 2018 and 2019.

The lawsuit alleges that the former WWE World Tag Champion made “no substantial effort” to provide any training as part of contractual service.

As for Ted DiBiase Sr., it is alleged that his Heart of David Ministries religious non-profit fraudulently received over $2.1 million in welfare from the state.

The suit claims that DiBiase Jr. urged then Mississippi DHS director John Davis to divert $1.7 million in funds to Heart of David Ministries.

The state of Mississippi is $1,971,223 in damages from Ted DiBiase Sr. and $1,721,223 from Heart of David Ministries.

The state is seeking $2,897,487 from Ted DiBiase Jr., $48,000 from “Restore2” and $824,258 from Brett DiBiase.

• Ted DiBiase Sr. Wants His WWE Championship Reign To Be Recognized (June 2021)

Ted DiBiase Sr.’s non-profit organization, Heart of David Ministry, has received $2.1 million in welfare money from the state of Mississippi, according to state records.

The report comes from The Clarion-Ledger, which states that the WWE Hall of Famer’s ministry had only “meager” funds until Ted’s son Brett DiBiase got hired as the deputy administrator at the Mississippi Department of Human Services. He was hired back in early 2017.

In May 2017, the Heart of David Ministry started receiving payments as much as $900,000 in a year. It has received a total of $2,126,739 from May 2017 to now. The ministry reported that the grant money received in 2017 was used for “general church speaking engagements, religious conferences, school assemblies, and wrestling events.”

The report also notes that the ministry appears to not have filed any tax documents with the IRS for the last two years.

Last week, Mississippi State Auditor Shad White had announced that six people, including Brett DiBiase, were arrested in the biggest embezzlement scam in the history of the state.

The arrested are alleged to have stolen more than $4.15 million in welfare money. John Davis, the former director of Mississippi’s welfare agency, was also among the arrested. He allegedly used the money for personal use and for DiBiase’s “luxury” drug rehab center.

DiBiase was paid with welfare money to teach drug awareness classes, but he never taught any classes as he was instead being treated for opioid addiction at Rise in Malibu, an addiction treatment center in Malibu, California.

Ted DiBiase Sr. has not been charged with anything as of this writing.

– Former WWE developmental star Brett DiBiase welcomed his first baby boy into the world over the weekend. Brett is the youngest son of WWE Hall Of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase Sr.

– Fans at the WWE live event in Chicago, Illinois on Thursday were given the opportunity to vote on the stipulation for the match between Mark Henry and Fandango. 53 percent of the fans in attendance ended up voting for a Dance Off. This led to Henry dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” complete with a moonwaulk, before being attacked by Fandango. Henry ended up fighting Fandango back and doing another moonwalk.

• Details On WWE’s Planned SURPRISE ENTRANTS For The 2014 Royal Rumble Match

(Partial Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

— WWE Hall of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase stated during an interview with the Poughkeepsie Journal that his son Brett will be released from his developmental contract with WWE at the end of the month. The third generation talent was forced to bow out of competing earlier this year after suffering multiple knee injuries and is now unable to continue working as a referee.

“When he realized he couldn’t wrestle without being in pain, well maybe we can go the referee route. Well, then we have a fourth knee surgery. I got to thinking about that and referees are actually up and down even more than wrestlers. Usually when we go down, we’re going down on our back. When they go down, they go down on their knees,” DiBiase said. “Brett will really officially be released at the end of this month. He’s come home now. He’s in great spirits. He’s sad that it hasn’t worked out for him. But on the same token, he was very frustrated and the frustration’s over. We got closure.”

To read the full interview, click here.

— WWE announced the following on Twitter fifteen minutes prior to tonight’s Raw: “Triple H has invited @RealKevinNash back to @WWE #Raw to discuss “textgate” Who’s telling the truth? Find out LIVE at 9/8 CT @USA_Network!”

— Jey and Jimmy Uso, who are twin brothers, celebrate their twenty-sixth birthday today.

Online reports of Brett DiBiase being released from his developmental contract with WWE are erroneous as he worked two matches as a referee at this evening’s Florida Championship Wrestling live event in Tampa, Florida, reports LordsofPain.net.

It was reported earlier this week that DiBiase’s profile was removed from the Florida Championship Wrestling website, which is often an indication that a talent has been released. Furthermore, Wrestling Observer Newsletter editor Dave Meltzer reported that the third generation wrestler was let go.

Meanwhile, new signee Jon Moxley made his FCW debut tonight under his real name, Jonathan Good. He participated in a battle royal and lasted through most of it before being eliminated by Erick Rowan.

The battle royal also featured the debut of Matthew Hannan, who previously competed in Pro Wrestling Ohio and International Wrestling Cartel under the name Matthew Justice. He also appeared on a May 2010 episode of WWE Superstars under the name Matt Busch, which saw him compete in a tag team match against Curt Hawkins and Vance Archer.

— Robert Irvine, 45, a personality on The Food Network announced on Tuesday on the Preston and Steve morning show in Philadelphia that he is engaged to Gail Kim, 34.

This was first reported by Tammy “Sunny” Sytch, who was on hand for WrestleMania XXVII. Kim never denied the story, but was angry about getting it out, indicating she wanted to keep her personal life private. Since then, they were noted as a couple in an article in the Orlando Sentinel in an article about him being in town. Irvine attended the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony as Kim’s date.

— It was reported Monday that WWE developmental wrestler Brett DiBiase, 23, was removed from the roster page of the Florida Championship Wrestling. It has since been confirmed that the third generation wrestler was released from his contract with WWE.

— Sunday’s WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view event at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida drew approximately 10,000 fans.

— WWE referee Chad Patton turns 35 years old today while Hall of Famer Bill Watts turns 72.

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

— WWE developmental wrestler Brett DiBiase has been removed from Florida Championship Wrestling’s roster page, which would indicate that he has been released.

The third generation wrestler had been under contract to WWE since 2008.

Meanwhile, Briley Pierce and Rodney Thomas were added to the section. Pierce is Dolph Ziggler’s younger brother, Ryan Nemeth. Thomas is a student from Lance Storm’s Wrestling Academy who has competed as “Shotgun” Brock Barker.

— Matches taped last night in Miami, Florida this week’s episode of WWE Superstars are as follows:

* Beth Phoenix vs. Melina

* Evan Bourne vs. Zack Ryder

— WWE returns to the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, Mississippi on August 26, 2011 and the Fed-Ex Forum in Memphis, Tennessee on August 27, 2011.

source: PWInsider.com

– WWE Diva Beth Phoenix had successful ACL surgery this morning in Birmingham, Alabama. She wrote on Twitter today:

“All done!! They said they used extr parts from RoboC op’s knee surgery and spare tissue from a Liger. I feel great!!”

Related: Pictures Of A Young Beth Phoenix (Pre-WWE)

– With Beth Phoenix out of action, there’s a major shortage of female talent on the SmackDown brand. Phoenix is considered one of WWE’s best in-ring female workers, so the company is seeking a skilled wrestler [not just another barbie doll diva] for the SmackDown brand.

– Raw returns to Mexico with a four-night tour this October.

– CM Punk was given a rare weekend off this past Saturday and Sunday, reports f4wonline.com. Company sources indicate it was a planned weekend off and not due to him being injured.

Luke Gallows and the mystery man recently seen assisting the Straight Edge Society on television worked while he was a away. The mystery man’s name was not indicated as he was still treated as a mystery member of the Straight Edge Society.

– It was announced during Monday’s WWE Raw that a new general manager will be introduced on next week’s show. Vickie Guerrero pleaded with Buzz Aldrin and insisted that she resigned last week under duress, but Aldrin said WWE headquarters informed him of the news and her [brief] time as RAW GM is over.

– Brett DiBiase had knee surgery on Monday in Alabama with Dr. James Andrews, reports f4wonline.com. The damage to his knee wasn’t as bad as originally thought and he will likely make a full recovery. Before the injury, DiBiase was scheduled to be called up to the RAW roster with his brother Ted.

– In an update to the earlier injury post on John Morrison, it sounds like he wasn’t hurt in the match with Vladimir Kozlov after all, a match that only lasted a minute or two. Morrison was seen outside of the arena before the show greeting fans and was noticeably limping around and moving slower than usual.

— According to those close to Batista, it is not 100% certain that he will be leaving World Wrestling Entertainment, although it is believed that Over the Limit will be his final show.

He was said to be furious that a film project initially based around him was taken from him, particularly since it was at the last minute. He is listening to outside offers and it should be noted that there is interest on the part of TNA. However, the belief is that it is highly unlikely “The Animal” would jump ship to the competition since they would never be able to offer him anything close to what he’s making in WWE, which is in the neighborhood of several million dollars per year.

— Triple H is currently being advertised for a live Raw show taking place on May 31st in Austin, Texas. A match pitting Triple H, Randy Orton and John Cena and The Miz, Big Show and Sheamus is being advertised. However, this will ultimately change considering Big Show is no longer a heel.

— Brett DiBiase, who was scheduled to be called up alongside Joe Hennig to be part of a heel trio on Raw with his brother Ted, suffered a knee injury last Thursday at a Florida Championship Wrestling event in Tampa. He was wrestling Hennig.

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

– The main events for WWE’s new Fatal 4 Way pay-per-view will in fact be two Fatal 4 Way championship matches. WWE sent out the following promotional blurb about the event over the weekend, which takes place on June 20th from the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY:

Get ready for WWE’s most unpredictable event as eight WWE Superstars face off in two separate Fatal 4 Way championship matches! Watch Randy Orton, John Cena, Triple H, Rey Mysterio, and all your favorite Superstars in “WWE: Fatal 4 Way” live on Sunday, June 20, 2010 on pay-per-view!

– Developmental wrestler Brett DiBiase, brother of Ted DiBise, suffered a knee injury at Thursday’s Florida Championship Wrestling tapings during a match with fellow second generation star Joe Hennig. No word yet on the severity of the injury. DiBiase and Hennig are expected to be called up to the main roster soon as part of a new “privileged sons” stable led by Ted DiBiase,  but the formation of that new group might be delayed.

– Orlando Colon, the cousin of WWE superstars Carlito and Primo, is now wrestling as “Tito Colon” in Florida Championship Wrestling. He had previously been working as “Tito Nieves.” Tito Colon is also close to being called up to the main roster and will likely be paired with Carlito and Primo when he debuts.

– Developmental referee Aaron “Goose” Mahoney is now on the road with the main roster and has begun working house shows.