The federal case against former WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase Jr. just took another turn as DiBiase’s mistrial request has been denied.
According to PWInsider, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi has officially denied DiBiase’s motion for a mistrial, despite his legal team’s request following a medical emergency involving his lead attorney, Jason Scott Gilbert.
DiBiase’s legal team had argued that the health crisis prevented Gilbert from continuing and requested that the trial restart only when he recovered. However, Judge Carlton Reeves rejected the mistrial bid, stating that restarting the trial would be “particularly difficult” due to the level of media attention the case has received in Mississippi.
Instead, the Court ruled that a new court-approved attorney will step in immediately, with legal fees covered by the court. DiBiase Jr., however, will be responsible for that attorney’s travel and incidental expenses. If Gilbert recovers before the trial resumes, he will be allowed to reassume his role. The trial, paused since late January, remains on hold until February 22.
DiBiase was arrested in April 2023 on multiple charges tied to Mississippi’s $77 million welfare fraud scandal, including: 1 count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and theft, 6 counts of wire fraud, 2 counts of theft concerning federal programs and 4 counts of money laundering.
If convicted, DiBiase faces up to 20 years per wire fraud count, 10 years per theft and laundering count, and 5 years for conspiracy. Prosecutors allege that he illegally received federal welfare funds meant for Mississippi’s poorest residents, while DiBiase maintains he was paid for legitimate services.
Do you think the court made the right call denying the mistrial—or should the trial have restarted with DiBiase’s attorney fully recovered? Let us know what you think below.