Jury deliberations are poised to commence on Friday, March 20, following closing arguments in the Mississippi welfare fraud trial of former WWE star Ted DiBiase Jr.
The 43-year-old has entered a not guilty plea to 13 charges linked to claims that federal welfare funds, intended for struggling families, were redirected into bogus transactions and personal expenses. Prosecutors assert that these allegations are part of a larger scandal involving over $77 million in misallocated funds.
U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves indicated that jurors should begin their deliberations on Friday.
Prosecutors argue that DiBiase received these welfare-related payments through contracts for services he never provided. The indictment includes one conspiracy count related to wire fraud, six counts of wire fraud, two counts of theft from federal programs, and four counts of money laundering. Each count carries potential prison time if DiBiase is convicted.
During the closing remarks, Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrienne E. Rosen described what she termed a straightforward financial trail. She accused DiBiase of fabricating contracts and diverting over $2.9 million from Mississippi’s most vulnerable individuals to fund a lavish lifestyle.
Rosen detailed financial records and a timeline of transactions from 2017 to 2020, alleging that DiBiase established “shell companies” to redirect welfare dollars into personal purchases such as a tractor, a truck, a boat, a home, a Disney vacation, and more. She highlighted a significant transaction on May 17, 2018, when DiBiase reportedly became an “instant millionaire” after cashing two $500,000 checks linked to the Family Resource Center.
Rosen pointed out connections to nonprofit intermediaries and insiders within the Mississippi Department of Human Services. She claimed that former DHS Director John Davis exerted pressure to channel funds to DiBiase and referenced pivotal figures who have pleaded guilty in related cases.
Prosecutors depicted DiBiase as a deceptive figure, urging the jury to deliver a guilty verdict based on the evidence presented.
In defense, attorney Scott Gilbert contended that the prosecution was overreaching and attempting to attribute a chaotic political situation to his client. He framed DiBiase as someone who was misled by others and criticized the management of the DHS.
Gilbert questioned the credibility of key witnesses and maintained that contracts were subject to review by legal professionals. He asserted that testimonies did not convincingly demonstrate that DiBiase failed to deliver the promised work.
Portraying DiBiase as a committed businessman, Gilbert challenged jurors by questioning why he would work so diligently if he were truly involved in a fraud scheme. He concluded by urging jurors to consider whether sufficient reliable evidence existed to convict his client.
Download the FREE Trending Politics App to get the latest news FIRST >>
