WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase Sr. is fighting back against allegations made in a book about the Mississippi welfare scandaland hes taking the battle to court.
According to Darkhorse Press, DiBiase filed a defamation lawsuit in Hinds County Circuit Court against Mississippi State Auditor Shad White, claiming that Whites 2024 book Mississippi Swindle: Brett Favre and the Welfare Scandal that Shocked America falsely portrays him as involved in the misuse of federal TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) funds.
The lawsuit was officially filed in August 2025, and White was served on November 19. DiBiase is not only seeking compensatory and punitive damages, but also an injunction to stop the sale and distribution of Whites book, alleging that continued circulation would cause irreparable harm and could bias future jurors in an ongoing civil case involving DiBiases former ministry.
Mississippi Swindle allegedly characterizes DiBiase as culpable in the massive misuse of welfare funds that also ensnared names like Brett Favre, DiBiases sons Ted Jr. and Brett, and other high-profile figures. But the Million Dollar Man denies all wrongdoing, and his complaint emphasizes that no court has ever found him liable in the scandal.
The legal filing also links the fallout to the closure of his nonprofit, Heart of David Ministries, in January 2025, after the Mississippi Department of Human Services filed a separate civil lawsuit in 2022, alleging the group received more than $1.7 million in improperly transferred TANF funds.
DiBiase is suing White in his personal capacity, not as State Auditor, accusing him of using his platform for personal and political gain.
White fired back with a motion to dismiss the case on December 19, claiming his statements fall under absolute privilegea protection often granted to public officials. His legal team argues that DiBiases injunction request amounts to unconstitutional prior restraint of free speech. They also note that as a public figure, DiBiase would need to prove actual malice, a high bar for defamation claims.
The defamation case moves forward as other DiBiase family members continue to face legal trouble:
- Ted DiBiase Jr. is expected in federal court Tuesday on charges of wire fraud and theft.
- Brett DiBiase pled guilty in 2023 and was sentenced for his role in the scandal.
DiBiases legal team has requested an extension to respond to Whites dismissal motion, with a deadline now set for January 28, 2026. This courtroom showdown puts Ted DiBiase Sr. back in the spotlightbut for reasons far removed from the wrestling ring.
Do you think Ted Di Biase Sr. can win his defamation lawsuit? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
