WLBT-TV 3 in Jackson, Mississippi is reporting that former WWE developmental talent Brett DiBiase, and son of WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase, plead guilty on Thursday to conspiring with several others to defraud the Mississippi Department of Human Services, in what is was called the largest public embezzlement scheme in Mississippi history.
DiBiase was He was originally arrested back in February. DiBiase was paid $48,000, acting as the business Restore2 LLC, using a series of fraudulent and false claims to receive payment.
He is also accused of helping cover up payments by falsifying documents, invoices, books, reports and ledgers. Investigators charged that former Mississippi Department of Human Services workers created invoices to pay DiBiase for teaching classes about drug abuse.
However, he did not teach those classes as he was being treated for opiate abuse at a luxury rehab facility in Malibu, California which was paid for with state welfare money.
DiBiase was one of six arrests made back in February, all of which were part of more than $4 million in embezzled government money.
The district attorney’s office noted Thursday that DiBiase has agreed to pay back restitution for all money he received.
Mississippi State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement Thursday on Brett DiBiase’s plea:
“My staff and I applaud the work of District Attorney Owens and his team for their work on this case. This felony plea represents another important step forward in achieving justice for the taxpayers and the other victims of this scheme.”
Anne Wolfe of Mississippi Today reported that DiBiase plead guilty to making fraudulent statements. His conspiracy charge was dropped. DiBiase has also agreed to help the state in its remaining cases. His sentencing has been delayed. Regarding the restitution DiBiase has agreed to pay back, he made a payment of $5,000 today. Wolfe noted that the $5,000 won’t go back into the welfare program because in Mississippi, restitution payments go first to pay off court costs before money is paid to victims.
Anne Wolfe of Mississippi Today reported on Thursday that DiBiase plead guilty to making fraudulent statements, and that his conspiracy charge was dropped. She noted that DiBiase has agreed to help the state in its remaining cases. DiBiase’s sentencing has been delayed. DiBiase made a payment of $5,000 on Thursday. Wolfe also noted that the $5,000 won’t go back into the welfare program because in the state of Mississippi, any restitution payments paid first go to pay off court costs before money is paid to any victims.
Brett DiBiase signed to a WWE developmental deal in 2008. He is a former FCW Florida Tag Team Champion with Joe Hennig as The Fortunate Sons. He was released in 2011.
BREAKING: Brett DiBiase is pleading guilty to making fraudulent statements. He is the former pro wrestler charged within what @MSStateAuditor calls the largest public embezzlement case in state history. His luxury drug rehab stay was allegedly paid for with #TANF welfare dollars. pic.twitter.com/pf1FtC2h4G
— Anna Wolfe (@ayewolfe) December 17, 2020
The charge deals with $48,000 he received under a contract with @MS_DHS for work he didn’t complete.
In pleading guilty to fraud, conspiracy charge is dropped. He’s agreed to help the state in its remaining cases. Sentencing delayed. He also presented $5k in restitution today.
— Anna Wolfe (@ayewolfe) December 17, 2020
The charge deals with $48,000 he received under a contract with @MS_DHS for work he didn’t complete.
In pleading guilty to fraud, conspiracy charge is dropped. He’s agreed to help the state in its remaining cases. Sentencing delayed. He also presented $5k in restitution today.
— Anna Wolfe (@ayewolfe) December 17, 2020