Ted "Teddy" DiBiase Jr., a former professional wrestling star, walked free Friday after a jury delivered not guilty verdicts on all charges stemming from what prosecutors described as Mississippi's most extensive public corruption case involving the alleged misappropriation of welfare funding.

The jury's decision exonerated DiBiase on 13 separate counts that included conspiracy to commit fraud, wire fraud, theft of government property, and money laundering charges.

Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's office had constructed their case around allegations that DiBiase orchestrated a scheme to illegally secure federal welfare dollars, subsequently redirecting those funds toward personal expenditures including an automobile, watercraft, and residential down payment.

Following the verdict, U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger issued a measured response: "While I remain confident in our case, I respect the jury's verdict. I commend the prosecution team for their diligent efforts." Attempts to reach DiBiase's defense counsel for comment were unsuccessful at press time.

DiBiase, who competed in WWE throughout the 2000s and into the 2010s, stands as the sole defendant in this expansive investigation to proceed to jury trial. The case originated in 2020 when authorities indicted John Davis, who previously served as director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, along with multiple co-defendants including Brett DiBiase, Ted's brother and fellow former professional wrestler.

According to charging documents, Davis allegedly orchestrated the diversion of federal assistance dollars to two nonprofit organizations, which subsequently executed what prosecutors characterized as "sham contracts" with various entities. Among the recipients were multiple business ventures controlled by DiBiase, purportedly compensated for social services including leadership development initiatives, emergency food distribution assessments, and youth programming for underserved urban communities—services prosecutors contend were never actually delivered. Records indicate DiBiase-affiliated companies collected upwards of $2 million through these arrangements.

The funding in question derived from federal safety-net initiatives designed to support economically disadvantaged populations, specifically Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. Mississippi's state auditor documented that more than $77 million in TANF appropriations were improperly allocated.

John Davis, several nonprofit organization leaders, and Brett DiBiase have entered guilty pleas to charges arising from the alleged scheme. The investigation's reach extended to prominent public figures including former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant and retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre. Both have consistently maintained their innocence and face no criminal prosecution.

Favre, both DiBiase brothers, and their father Ted DiBiase Sr.—known in wrestling circles by his ring persona "Million Dollar Man"—are among dozens of defendants named in civil litigation initiated by the Mississippi Department of Human Services. The state agency seeks recovery of more than $20 million in allegedly misappropriated funds through the civil action.