Who is former WWE star Ted DiBiase Jr?
A FORMER WWE wrestler is now facing charges in connection to a welfare fraud scandal in Mississippi.
Here's what we know about Ted DiBiase Jr. and the charges against him.
Who is former WWE star Ted DiBiase Jr?
Ted DiBiase Jr. is a former professional wrestler who was born on November 8, 1982, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
He rose to fame as one of the original members of the WWE stable The Legacy.
DiBiase is also known for his role in The DiBiase Posse and would often throw icon tailgate parties before, during, and after WWE performances.
He wrestled for WWE from 2008 to 2013 and later retired in 2017, but has left the door open for a possible return.
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“I’ll say yeah. As of today, I’ll say yes [that he’s retired], but if somebody called me, I’d be totally lying if I said there wasn’t an itch," DiBiase told Chris Van Vliet during an appearance on his podcast, Insight with Chris Van Vliet, via WrestleTalk.
"I can still go, I just like to keep doors open and don’t burn bridges. If you’re going to burn one then blow it up. My connection to that world, at times it’s like being married. Sometimes it’s this love-hate relationship.
"...It’s hard, but it’s such a deep-rooted piece of who I am and what I come from being a third generation wrestler. My grandfather and grandmother were wrestlers, then my father so you know. I leave that door open, but it would have to be the right scenario for me to get in the ring again.”
DiBiase is the son of retired professional wrestler, manager, and color commentator "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase and the grandson of former professional wrestler "Iron" Mike DiBiase.
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What charges is Ted DiBiase Jr facing?
A federal indictment that was unsealed on April 20, 2023, alleges that DiBiase's companies received "sham contracts" in Mississippi and that they misspent millions of dollars of welfare money, according to NPR.
Instead of giving money to families in need, he allegedly used it to buy frivolous things such as a car and boat.
"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.
The indictment stems from a high-profile Mississippi corruption case that also accused multiple co-conspirators of fraudulently obtaining federal money to use for their own benefit, NPR notes.
John Davis, the former Mississippi Department of Human Services director, and DiBiase's brother, Brett DiBiase, were also charged in connection to the case, but have since pleaded guilty.
In 2022, Davis pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of fraud against the government, while Brett pleaded guilty in March 2023 to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States.
DiBiase now faces 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, according to NPR.
Prosecutors said that he could be facing up to five years in prison for the conspiracy count, up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count, and potentially 10 years in prison for each count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and for each count of money laundering.
DiBiase appeared in court on April 20 and entered a plea of not guilty.
Is Ted DiBiase Jr married?
When DiBiase is not in court or in the office, he can often be found at home, spending time with his family.
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Since 2008, he has been married to a nurse, Kristen Tynes.
Not much is known about their relationship because they often stay out of the spotlight, but they have since welcomed two kids.