There has been a major development in the Mississippi welfare fund scandal involving WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase.
The DiBiase family is the subject of a wide-ranging criminal investigation by the Mississippi Department of Human Services over the alleged embezzlement of federal funds intended for needy families.
Ted DiBiase Jr. was previously charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 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.
As his son faces federal prosecution, DiBiase Sr. is also the subject of an ongoing defamation lawsuit against Mississippi State Auditor Shad White. He has accused White of making defamatory statements and is seeking to halt the publication of White’s book, Mississippi Swindle: Brett Favre and the Welfare Scandal That Shocked America, according to a report from Darkhorse Press.
According to a complaint filed in Hinds County Circuit Court last August, DiBiase alleges that White made false and defamatory statements about him in the book.
DiBiase claims the statements damaged his reputation and led to the closure of his nonprofit organization, Heart of David Ministries, in January 2025. The ministry, founded in 2001, focused on Christian evangelism and encouragement.
“The lawsuit asserts claims of negligence, gross negligence, recklessness, defamation, and defamation per se. DiBiase is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, and court costs,” the report stated.
In his complaint, DiBiase also asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order and an injunction to stop further publication and distribution of the book. He argued that continued sales would cause irreparable harm and could taint a potential jury pool in the pending DHS litigation.
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