Ted DiBiase Jr., the son of Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase, has been accused of multiple offenses linked to the theft of millions of dollars in federal safety-net funds aimed at helping low-income individuals and needy families.
The 40-year-old, whose real name is Theodore Marvin DiBiase Jr., has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and theft concerning programs that receive federal funds, six counts of wire fraud, two counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, and four counts of money laundering.
The United States Department of Justice has confirmed the allegations against DiBiase Jr., who is a former wrestler. According to court documents mentioned in the DOJ’s press release, DiBiase Jr. has been accused of fraudulently obtaining federal funds intended for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, and misusing them for personal gain.
If found guilty, DiBiase Jr. could face up to five years in prison for the conspiracy charge, 20 years for each wire fraud count, and 10 years for each count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and money laundering.
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Federal prosecutors assert that DiBiase Jr. received funding from a non-profit corporation that was responsible for allocating millions of federal dollars meant for poor women and children.
They argue that the funding was part of a sham arrangement, and that federal safety-net funds were misused for the personal use of DiBiase Jr., the state’s former welfare director, and others.
The indictment alleges that DiBiase Jr. spent the funds on buying a vehicle and a boat, and for the down payment on the purchase of a house, among other expenses.
Last month, DiBiase Jr.’s brother, Ted “Teddy” DiBiase Jr., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the government in connection with the same scandal.
DiBiase Jr. spent six years with WWE after signing in 2007 but has not made any comments regarding the charges.
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