Former WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase Jr. has seen his trial pushed back in relation to the largest case of welfare fund fraud in the history of the state of Mississippi. 

DiBiase is charged with allegedly using two different companies to receive money from “at least five sham contracts.” DiBiase, according to litigation, received full or almost full payments regardless of whether sufficient, if any work, was carried out. 

This is connected to a massive welfare scandal that involved several prominent names, including Ted’s father Ted Sr. Brett DiBiase, the brother of Ted Jr. has pled guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States. 

Judge Withdraws

Judge Carlton W. Reeves has recused himself from the criminal trial against DiBiase, though the reasoning behind this decision is currently not publicly known. In their place, Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac will now oversee the trial. 

Trial Pushed Back

Because of this change, the trial against the former WWE World Tag Team Champion has been pushed back. He was originally set to face a pre-trial conference on June 21 and was scheduled to stand trial on July 16. Instead, DiBiase will face a jury trial on January 7, 2025. 

What Has the DiBiase Family Said? 

Ted DiBiase Jr. has pled not guilty to all charges against him and was released on an unsecured $10,000 bond. When asked for comment when leaving the court, he told WAPT-TV “Jesus loves you.”

Ted Sr., who reportedly received a $250,000 check from the Family Resource Center in fraudulent funds, has hit out at the case. The WWE Hall of Famer said in June 2023 that the case is “garbage” and that his family is being made into a “scapegoat.”

What’s Next? 

If convicted, Ted Jr. faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the conspiracy count and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count. He also faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for each count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and for each count of money laundering. 

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 Jr had a successful run in WWE which started in 2007. So it was surprising for the fans when he not only left the promotion in 2013 but put a stop to his wrestling career as well.

The former WWE star recently spoke to Chris Van Vliet. He opened up about his time in the company and explained the reasoning behind his decision to leave the promotion.

DiBiase revealed that his contract had expired. While the officials had offered him a new deal, he made the call not to re-sign with the promotion because he was dealing with mental health issues:

“I was offered another 5 year deal. It was generous, but when it came down to it, I was battling some things internally; there were some mental health issues. I was going through depression and anxiety, and also being a new father. I just knew.”

Ted DiBiase Jr also talked about his experience of growing up as the son of an iconic father. He attributed this experience as another reason for leaving WWE and the wrestling world altogether.

The former champion explained that he loves his father but the wrestling veteran was not able to be present for important days in his childhood, something he didn’t want to repeat with his own son.

• Roman Reigns Not Interested In A Shield Reunion: ‘It’s A One Man Show Now’

– The WWE UK Championship will apparently be a big part of NXT this year. UK Champion Tyler Bate made his NXT debut last week in a non-title win over Oney Lorcan but he will be defending the championship against Trent Seven on the 2/15 NXT episode. UK competitors Pete Dunne and Mark Andrews will then compete on the 3/1 NXT episode. These matches were recently taped with full UK graphics on display inside Full Sail.

– Below is video of former WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase Jr’s return to the ring at a recent ProWrestling EGO event in Pearl, Mississippi. The event was held as a law enforcement fundraiser and marked Ted’s first match since late 2013. The event- which was to benefit Rankin and Hinds County Honor Guard- saw DiBiase take on Calvin Rose, Monty Warbucks, and Joey Abel in street clothes, sporting a walking boot, alongside Mike Carter and Fuego Del Sol. This video was just released a few days back but the event took place o 12/3.

– In the videos below, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T stars in new commercials for Hilton Furniture and Mattress of Houston, Texas:

– WWE taped Epico vs. Darren Young and Dana Brooke vs. Alicia Fox for this week’s Main Event episode. As reported here, Young suffered an arm injury during the match.

– Singer Sophia Grace will premiere her new “Hollywood” music video on tonight’s SmackDown with appearances by Lana, Naomi, The Bella Twins and Sasha Banks. Here’s a behind the scenes look:

– Former WWE star Ted DiBiase, Jr. was backstage for Sunday’s WWE house show in Jackson, MO as he lives in the area. Natalya tweeted this photo with him:

Great seeing one of my very good friends tonight in Jackson, Mississippi! Love ya @TedDiBiase! pic.twitter.com/3vD57oX1Kb

— Nattie (@NatbyNature) January 16, 2017

FOX Sports recently published an article containing ten “surprising revelations” from Daniel Bryan’s new autobiography, “Yes!: My Improbable Journey to the Main Event of WrestleMania” Below are some of the highlights.

On Sheamus and Ted Dibiase Jr. interrupting Daniel Bryan the first time he had sex with Brie: “We were naked and about to do our thing when all of a sudden we heard the sound of the door handle turning and then the door popped open. Bri jumped under the covers as Teddy and Sheamus barged into the room, inebriated as can be, wit the ‘Ahhh fella!’ and all that.”

On being slated to wrestle Charlie Sheen at SummerSlam in 2012: “He was going through a very public breakdown at the time, and somehow WWE brokered a deal for him to perform against me. He taped a couple of videos for ‘Raw’ insulting me, and even though it was a goofy match to be in, it would’ve put me in one of the top matches at SummerSlam. Unfortunately, whoever brokered the Sheen deal never got him to sign any sort of contract to do the event, and in typical Charlie Sheen fashion, he bailed.”

On his blowup with Triple H after a match with Randy Orton on RAW: “Usually I don’t get super angry, and when I do it’s barely visible. This time, I was furious and I let everyone know it. When I walked through the curtain, I yelled, ‘What the f— is that all about. That’s f—ing bull—-!’ ‘You need to calm down,’ responded Triple H, who had been communicating with the doctor over the headset and called for the match to be stopped. ‘No, you need to calm the f— down,’ I replied. We were up in each other’s faces and both ready to fight.”

Check out the complete article at FOXSports.com.

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Former WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase Jr. recently spoke with The Vicksburg Post to promote his work with the Warrior Bonfire Project to heal wounded veterans.

During the interview, DiBiase Jr. spoke about leaving WWE in 2013. “There was a time in my career that I forgot what got me there, and I lost sight of my priorities, and my priorities shifted,” said DiBiase Jr. “All of a sudden I couldn’t make enough money, I couldn’t become famous enough, and I wanted more. I woke up one day and I hated the person I saw, because I had this moment staring in the mirror where I hated that guy. The Lord led me to 1 John 2:15 which says ‘Do not love the world or anything in the world for if you do, the love of the Father is not in you.’”

DiBiase Jr. concluded, “I left WWE without real security, and know that I serve a big God. It’s been the hardest, most trying, most amazing year or so of my life. I’ve grown as a man, as a father and as a husband.”

Check out the complete interview at VicksburgPost.com.

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– Former WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase Jr. noted on social media recently that he interviewed WWE Hall Of Famer Shawn Michaels for his “Price of Fame” documentary that he has been working on for a couple of years. The documentary focuses on DiBiase Jr. and his relationship with his father, “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase Sr.

– NXT Champion Sami Zayn is featured on the latest edition of WWE’s “30 Second Fury,” which you can check out below.

– Goldust had fans speculating that former WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase Jr. may be the next tag-team partner that Cody Rhodes chooses for him. When asked who Rhodes might pick for Goldust’s partner this week, Goldust replied by saying that was “the million dollar question.”

– WWE Diva and Total Divas star Eva Marie recently did a fitness photo shoot for an upcoming issue of Iron Man Magazine. The shoot is expected to be featured on the next season of Total Divas.

– Former WWE Superstars Matt Morgan and Ted DiBiase, Jr. will be squaring off for the first time ever on 12/7 Family Wrestling Entertainment’s one-night tournament in Corona, New York.

– World Heavyweight Champion John Cena tweeted today:

Been a crazy, few months. Often times I enjoy testing the capabilities of body and mind. With strong spirit impossible becomes possible

— John Cena (@JohnCena) November 22, 2013

– RF Video has released a new shoot interview with former WWE NXT star Kassius Ohno, now known as Chris Hero again. Below is a preview:

The following are highlights from a recent Miami Herald interview with WWE Hall Of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase:

On WrestleMania XXX: “It’s very special. It really dates me a bit when I think, ‘This is WrestleMania 30, and my first WrestleMania was 4.’ It’s almost like, ‘Am I really that old?’ It’s a milestone year. What’s amazing is WrestleMania I, 10 and 20 were all in Madison Square Garden. WrestleMania 30, instead of being in New York, is going to be at the [Superdome] in New Orleans. That’s very special to me because I actually started my wrestling career in this area. Not the entire time, but the better part of the first 12 years of my wrestling career was spent in what was called Mid-South Wrestling. New Orleans was a very big part of that.”

On his sons being in the pro wrestling business: “Just as a father I really didn’t want my boys to follow me into wrestling. It’s not because of the wrestling itself, but because it’s a hard life. It’s really demanding, especially on family time. There are so many things out there. To the WWE’s credit, the atmosphere is much better and the accountability that they’ve built into it with their drug testing policy makes it a lot better. It is better, but it’s a hard thing on family. I was excited for my son. I never thought I was going to walk into a Toys “R” Us, and there is a twin pack of the ‘Million Dollar Man’ Ted DiBiase Sr. and Ted DiBiase Jr. I never thought I would see that. It was pretty wild. I was proud of him.”

On his son Ted DiBiase Jr. leaving WWE: “He did a tremendous job while he was there. He stared in a movie [The Marine 2], and I’m proud how he left there. There are a lot of guys who leave with a chip on their shoulder or feel they weren’t treated right or this or that. Basically what my son did was said, ‘Thank you very much. I appreciate the opportunity.’ He did it in a very professional way. I told him, ‘Don’t ever burn a bridge because you never know when you may cross it again.’ I was very proud of him on all levels. I think he is happy now. He has become quite the entrepreneur. He has a lot of things going. Before he went into wrestling, he got a college degree in business administration. He has a lot of things going for him. He loves being home with his family, but again, never say never. If the bug hits him again, then maybe he [would return]. For now he is quite happy where he’s at.”

On who he would pick as today’s “Million Dollar Champion”: “Alberto Del Rio is doing a pretty good job. His character is in line with that character. He is the rich guy flaunting his wealth. JBL [John Bradshaw Layfield], in my opinion, was the cowboy version of my character. I think he did it extremely well. You are this extremely wealthy guy, and by virtue of your wealth, you are looking down your nose at everybody. Much like a bully, when you’re confronted, you start backing off. Everybody hates guys like that. No matter how many times you get beat, you don’t mind seeing them get beat again. That’s what a good heel is in our business. I think JBL did it just as good as anybody.”

Check out the complete interview online at MiamiHerald.com.

-Ted DiBiase Jr. worked his first match since leaving WWE on Saturday night for the Family Wrestling Entertainment (FWE) iPPV from Brooklyn, New York. DiBiase, who defeated Colt Cabana, cut a heel promo prior to the match. DiBiase noted that he “didn’t need WWE” and that he was a self-made millionaire. He said showing up for the FWE iPPV was the worst mistake of his life.

-Former WWE Superstar Batista recently noted on his official Twitter account that filming has wrapped for Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Batista tweeted the following:

Anywayzz…Peace everyone!! Work calls..Been quite a journey over here in the Uk. Wrapping it up soon. Another dream ream realized! #onelife

— Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) October 10, 2013

Related News: Batista Rumored For WWE Return At WrestleMania XXX In 2014

-The Ministry Of Slam Promotions are presenting a tour with Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Sean Waltman from November 19th through November 21st. All three guys will be doing talk shows and Q&A’s in Glasgow, Manchester and London. For more information, visit MinistryOfSlam.com.

-WWE Hall Of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase will be appearing at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York taking photos and signing autographs for $20 at The Bro Show.

-“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan will be appearing at the New York Comic Con at the Javits Center in New York from October 10th through October 13th at Booth 2923.

-Mick Foley’s comedy appearance in Corpus Christi, Texas on October 4th has changed venues. For more information, visit PurplePass.com.

HUGE *SPOILERS* For The Upcoming WWE Battleground PPV — CLICK HERE!

The following is a new article from WWE.com:

Ted DiBiase to pursue endeavors outside WWE

As of Sept. 1, Ted DiBiase Jr. will no longer be under contract with WWE. Opting not to renew his contract, DiBiase has chosen to pursue other endeavors outside the sports-entertainment world.

WWE wishes Ted DiBiase the best in all his future endeavors.

REPORT: Ted DiBiase Jr. Negotiating With TNA Impact Wrestling [READ >>]

The following was issued today:

www.IntegrityBookings.com is very pleased to announce that Former WWE Superstar TED DIBIASE JR has chosen us as his official representative for any future bookings you may have!! The demand for Ted Jr. has been tremendous and we are very excited to be able to bring him to you. Ted DiBiase Jr. is available for Autograph signings, Conventions, Question & Answer sessions, Seminars, DiBiase Posse tailgate parties and the like. A third generation wrestling superstar and two-time WWE World Tag-Team Champion, Ted starred in the 20thCentury Fox movie “The Marine 2” (co-starring Michael Rooker of TV’s “The Walking Dead”).

For ALL of your appearance requests please fill out our “Book A Client” form located here: http://integritybookings.com/book-a-client/.We can also be reached by sending an e-mail to: TalentRelations@IntegrityBookings.com or a private message on Facebook to Facebook.com/IntegrityBookings

Ted DiBiase Jr flies out of Jackson Airport (JAN) in Mississippi. Hotel, airfare, ground transportation and deposits are required to secure the booking. Serious Requests Only!
NOTE: Ted Jr. will NOT be doing shoot interviews of any kind. Due to his schedule, Ted will also be doing a very limited amount of media interviews at this time. For interview requests, please e-mail your credentials toMediaRequests@SponPR.com.

Ted DiBiase Jr.’s official social media profiles are:
Facebook.com/TedDiBiaseJrOfficial
Twitter.com/TedDiBiase

REPORT: Ted DiBiase Jr. In Negotiations With TNA Impact Wrestling

SESCOOPS.COM reader Phil Johnson sent along the following:

Former ECW Champion Justin Credible has posted a new blog at PWMania.com. This week Credible talks on Ted Dibiase’s WWE departure, Monday’s Raw, AJ Styles’ TNA contract, Ring of Honor, among other topics. Matt Striker and Rick Cataldo are this week’s special guest on Justin Credible’s Pro Wrestling 101 video series. Here is an extract from “The Justin Credible Report:”

“I was really surprised that Ted DiBiase Jr. will not be resigning with the WWE. It’s not like he has a lot of options in the wrestling business. There has to be more to this than meets the eye. I mean he has everything that the WWE looks for. He’s talented, young, good physique, and he’s a third generation wrestler. I know he hasn’t been on TV in a while, but he had tremendous upside, and even starred in a WWE movie. It speaks volumes to me about how things are from a performer’s perspective on the main roster. I’m sure he will be back in the WWE at some point in his young career.”

SESCOOPS.COM reader Shannon Rose sent along the following:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Grand Opening of Big Vito’s Wrestling Academy

(Clearwater, FL) August 27- The big day has finally come. I am officially opening my Wrestling Academy- Big Vito’s Wrestling Academy. I am very honored and privileged to be doing this. I have learned from the best and been taught by the greats in our sport. The one thing I was taught from day one is pass it on. I understand it. I have helped many very quietly for a long time. Now, I get to help make the next generation of stars. Teach wrestling the one way, the right way. I may be a perfectionist, no nonsense, hard nosed, tough on you guy, but its for your own good.

Plenty of guys always ask me to watch their match, I never told them what they did good, I told them what they need to work on. Some can take it, others complain about it. The ones who took my advice got better, and the others, they are in the same place doing the same thing with the same people.

I have the credentials to teach you how to become a pro. At my academy, I want you to live and see what I have seen, do as I have done. Go from the bottom to the top, feel the excitement of the crowd, become a champion, be the best, have the respect from your peers, know when you walk in the room, you get people’s attention just from your presence. Become the one who people measure up to and say, “I want to be better than him”. My training methods are proven as I have taught people all around the world.

This will become the place to be, a unique place. There are some fine schools out there. This is an academy. You will learn 2 things: Discipline and Wrestling. You will become regimented: Eating habits, training habits, wrestling, mixed martial arts, the business side of things. You will leave there the complete package. You will not leave there without the skill and mindset needed to become a Pro. You will be able to take care of yourself anywhere in the world today. No matter what style there is, you will be able to compete. If you come there with a dream, I will make sure I do all I can to help you live it. Does not matter what you look like in the beginning, in the end, you will look like a pro wrestler.

I tell everyone the same thing: Not Everyone Makes It. It is true. Who is someone else to tell you that you can’t? That is not allowed in my academy, everything is “I Can”. Never let anyone stop you from your dream. It is your life. If you let people dictate to you what you can and can’t do, then you might as well be a puppet. Every challenge in life is something. I have taken all the chances, I am not afraid. I made something of myself. You can do the same at my academy. I am currently doing movies, commercials and still wrestling. The school becomes a part of my everyday life. I am the only trainer at the school. I will train you. No one else. Hands on. If you have heart like Big Vito, you can do anything. I have done everything.

Training sessions can be viewed by parents. I want to make this something good in the community as well. I would like to work with kids also in the afternoons. There will be an afternoon program for them. Or, if you think your son or daughter needs some tough love, bring them in. They will be taught respect, school work is important, clean your room, and be polite to your parents. Another thing you will learn from here is you will be able to stand on your own 2 feet in life, you will be able to handle not just wrestling but life in it self. You can’t put a price tag on that.

There will be giveaways and trivia on August 31, 2013 at 1pm at Spa 24 in Clearwater, Florida. I have many sponsors who have donated different items to make this a fun filled day.

Hope to see you soon!

For more information, visit: www.bigvito.com

Email Big Vito at: bigvito@bigvito.com

REPORT: Ted DiBiase Jr. To Sign With TNA Impact Wrestling

WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase Jr. recently uploaded a new video to his official YouTube channel where he explains that he is going to let his current contract with WWE expire. Basically, DiBiase is quitting the company.

Check out the message below:

UPDATE: Backstage Reason Ted DiBiase Jr. Is Leaving WWE [READ >>]

Follow SESCOOPS.COM reporter Matt Boone on Twitter @MBoone420 for breaking news updates!