Overview
- A federal jury found the former WWE wrestler not guilty on 13 charges, including conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.
- The verdict followed a weeks-long trial with more than two dozen witnesses, and DiBiase did not testify as he was released from bond conditions after the ruling.
- Prosecutors alleged he used sham contracts and shell companies to route TANF and TEFAP dollars to personal purchases such as a house, boat, and vehicles.
- The defense argued he performed legitimate work under the contracts and pointed to former MDHS director John Davis as the official who directed the funding.
- The broader scandal continues with auditors citing over $77 million in misspent welfare funds, multiple guilty pleas already entered, and ongoing civil suits seeking to recoup money from figures including Brett Favre and members of the DiBiase family.