The federal criminal trial of former WWE superstar Ted DiBiase Jr., who is facing multiple charges of fraud and money laundering in relation to the Mississippi welfare scandal, has been postponed until 2026.
Trial Postponed To January 2026
According to PWInsider.com, District Judge Carlton W. Reeves has set a new trial date of January 6, 2026. The delay was granted after DiBiase’s attorneys argued that the prosecution provided them with over 47 hours of new video evidence just 60 days before the original trial date, leaving them with insufficient time to properly review it.
Defense Claims New Evidence Is ‘Exculpatory’
In the motion to delay the trial, DiBiase’s legal team claimed that the new evidence is “directly exculpatory.” They argued that the “copious video footage” shows DiBiase performing “a substantial amount of work under the alleged ‘sham’ contracts,” which they say contradicts the indictment’s claim that he did not intend to provide any social services.
DiBiase Jr. was arrested in April 2023 and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The indictment alleges he and his co-conspirators fraudulently obtained and misused millions of dollars in federal funds intended for needy families in Mississippi. If convicted, the third-generation wrestler faces a potential maximum of 45 years in prison.
