Multiple companies managed by a former professional wrestler received “sham contracts” in Mississippi and misspent millions of welfare dollars collected for some of the neediest people in the United States, according to a new federal indictment.
Former pro-wrestler Ted “Teddy” DiBiase Jr. was indicted this past week – the latest development in a larger Mississippi corruption case involving wealthy and well-connected people receiving contracts from the state Department of Human Services from 2016 to 2019.
Teddy, 40, made a brief court appearance on Thursday, pleading not guilty and offering no further comment to reporters other than, “Jesus loves you brother. God bless you, man.”
DiBiase’s indictment accuses him and co-conspirators, including former Mississippi Department of Human Services director John Davis – he is accused of fraudulently obtaining federal money for his personal benefit.
Davis allegedly directed the organization’s directors to award contracts to DiBiase’s companies, Priceless Ventures LLC and Familiae Orientem LLC between 2017 and 2018. According to the indictment, the companies did not provide any social services.
Davis pled guilty last year to charges tied to welfare misspending in the state’s largest corruption case, including $160,000 spent on drug rehabilitation for Brett DiBiase, Teddy’s brother.
“DiBiase allegedly used these federal funds to buy a vehicle and a boat, and for the down payment on the purchase of a house, among other expenditures,” the Justice Department said in a news release Thursday.
The former wrestler could face up to five years in prison for the conspiracy count, up to 20 years for each wire fraud count, up to 10 years for each count of theft concerning programs having received federal funds and money laundering.
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