A federal judge has issued a delay in the trial of former WWE superstar Ted DiBiase Jr., pushing the proceedings back to late February. According to a report from the Mississippi Clarion Ledger, the trial, which involves allegations of massive welfare fraud, has been rescheduled to resume on February 23, 2026. The delay comes amidst unexpected legal complications regarding the defense team, adding another chapter to a saga that has already dragged on for years.
The postponement was necessitated after DiBiase Jr.’s lead defense attorney fell ill, prompting the defense team to file a motion for a mistrial. They argued that the attorney’s absence would fundamentally compromise their ability to mount a proper defense for the former “Million Dollar” champion. However, in a ruling handed down on January 21st, the presiding judge denied the request for a mistrial.
The court determined that a full restart was unnecessary and that DiBiase Jr.’s remaining legal counsel was competent enough to take over the proceedings. The judge also ruled that the currently selected jury would remain in place during the hiatus. The federal government reportedly agreed with the judge’s decision to proceed with the existing jury and legal team rather than scrapping the progress made so far.
Ted DiBiase Jr., along with several co-conspirators, is a central figure in what has been described as the largest public fraud case in Mississippi state history. He is alleged to have fraudulently obtained federal funds designed to help the state’s most vulnerable citizens. These funds reportedly included money from the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Prosecutors argue that instead of feeding the hungry or supporting impoverished families, the money was siphoned off for personal gain and luxury expenses.
The charges against the 43-year-old former wrestler are severe. DiBiase Jr. has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to commit 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. The sheer volume of charges highlights the complexity and scale of the alleged scheme.
If convicted, the consequences for DiBiase Jr. would be life-altering. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the conspiracy count alone. Furthermore, each of the six wire fraud counts carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Additionally, he faces a maximum of 10 years for each count of theft concerning federal programs and for each count of money laundering. When tallied together, the statutory maximums point to the possibility of a practically life-long sentence, though federal sentencing guidelines often result in concurrent terms.