Ted DiBiase Jr.’s Welfare Fraud Trial Moves Forward as Judge Sets Key Pre-Trial Deadlines

Ted DiBiase Jr. is officially on the road to trial. The former WWE star appeared before the Mississippi Southern District Court on Friday, December 5, for a pre-trial hearing in his ongoing federal criminal case—where a judge laid out key deadlines that lock the trial schedule into place.

During the hearing, the court addressed multiple procedural elements, ordering both DiBiase’s legal team and federal prosecutors to submit their exhibit list, witness list, jury instructions, and expert reports by December 16. These filings will determine what arguments, testimonies, and evidence the jury will be allowed to consider during trial. With everything now filed on the record, DiBiase’s trial remains scheduled to begin on January 6, 2026.

This update follows months of mounting pressure and legal maneuvering in one of the most complex criminal cases involving a former WWE name in years. DiBiase faces 13 federal charges connected to the massive Mississippi welfare fraud scandal—including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and theft, multiple counts of wire fraud, theft concerning federal programs, and money laundering. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 45 years in prison and up to $1 million in fines.

The indictment alleges DiBiase used his companies, Priceless Ventures LLC and Familiae Orientem LLC, to obtain at least five fraudulent contracts from the Mississippi Department of Human Services. The government claims DiBiase accepted millions in welfare funds intended for programs like TANF and TEFAP, but never provided the promised services. Instead, prosecutors allege the money was used for personal purchases like a home, a boat, and a vehicle.

His defense team has pushed back aggressively, insisting the government withheld key exculpatory evidence. In July 2025, they successfully delayed the trial after arguing that the U.S. government only recently turned over more than 47 hours of video footage showing DiBiase delivering training sessions under the very contracts prosecutors labeled as “sham.” According to the motion, the footage contradicts the indictment’s claim that DiBiase had no intent to provide services.

The defense wrote that “the indictment states that DiBiase did not provide and did not intend to provide social services. This is belied by copious video footage that the United States just produced.” The court agreed to the delay, pushing the trial from its original summer date to early 2026.

Other controversies surrounding the case include DiBiase testing positive for marijuana and Adderall at the time of his arrest. His attorney claimed the marijuana came from a CBD gummy and that DiBiase had taken Adderall from his brother to self-medicate for ADHD without a prescription. He has since remained free on a $10,000 unsecured bond and must comply with standard release terms, including notifying the court of any address changes and avoiding any further legal trouble.

Outside the courthouse, DiBiase has kept a low profile but made headlines earlier this year when he addressed a local news reporter during his arrest, saying, “Jesus loves you, brother. God bless you, man,” before being cut off by his lawyer.

Now, with jury selection and opening arguments just weeks away, all eyes are on whether the newly disclosed video evidence will help clear his name—or if it will simply delay the inevitable.