Intimate Texts Reveal Close Bonds in Mississippi Welfare Fraud Case
Jackson, Mississippi – Disturbing details have emerged in the federal trial of Ted DiBiase Jr., former professional wrestler and son of wrestling legend Ted “The Million Dollar Man” DiBiase, centering around allegations of misappropriated welfare funds. The case, which has already implicated several individuals, took a dramatic turn with the presentation of intimate text messages between DiBiase Jr., his brother Brett DiBiase, and former Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) director John Davis. These messages, revealed in court this week, suggest a deeply personal and potentially inappropriate relationship that prosecutors argue facilitated the alleged diversion of millions of dollars intended for the state’s most vulnerable citizens. The core of the case revolves around approximately $2.9 million allegedly funneled to DiBiase Jr. Through contracts that investigators have described as “sham contracts.”
The trial, currently underway in Jackson, is shedding light on a complex web of relationships and financial transactions that prosecutors claim were designed to exploit the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. TANF, a federal block grant, provides funding to states to support families in need, and the alleged misuse of these funds in Mississippi represents one of the largest public embezzlement cases in state history. The focus of the prosecution is to demonstrate how personal connections allegedly influenced decisions regarding the awarding of contracts and the oversight – or lack thereof – of how those funds were spent. The unfolding evidence is raising serious questions about accountability and transparency within the MDHS.
The text messages, dating back to 2018, paint a picture of a close, and at times, emotionally charged connection between Davis and the DiBiase brothers. Prosecutors contend that this relationship blurred professional boundaries and created an environment where millions of dollars in welfare funds could be directed to Ted DiBiase Jr. With minimal scrutiny. The evidence presented suggests that Davis actively used his position of authority to pressure nonprofit leaders into awarding lucrative contracts to DiBiase Jr., despite concerns about the lack of documentation and the questionable nature of the services provided. The alleged scheme involved contracts for services such as motivational speaking and leadership training, which the prosecution argues were merely a pretext for diverting funds for personal gain.
“I Love You” and “I Will Die For You”: The Content of the Texts
The most striking aspect of the evidence presented was the content of the text messages themselves. In a series of exchanges, Brett DiBiase expressed deep emotional attachment to John Davis. One text message from Brett, shared in court, read: “I don’t know where I stand with you… Every time I think of you I want to be with you.” Davis responded with a series of “I love you” messages, stating, “I love you. I love you. I love you.” Another message from Brett revealed a sense of dependence, stating, “It’s only when I’m with you I feel safe enough to sleep.” Davis, during his testimony, acknowledged that he “got exceptionally close to Brett” during this period. 16 WAPT News reported on these exchanges.
The intimacy extended to communications with Ted DiBiase Jr. In a July 2018 exchange, Davis reportedly told the former wrestler, “I will freaking die for you.” DiBiase Jr. Responded with a pledge of reciprocal loyalty, stating, “It would be my honor to die for you, bro.” Prosecutors argue that this intense personal loyalty was a key factor in Davis’s willingness to approve and facilitate the flow of funds to DiBiase Jr. The prosecution is attempting to establish a direct link between these expressions of affection and the awarding of contracts worth nearly $2.9 million. The defense, however, is attempting to demonstrate that DiBiase Jr. Did, in fact, perform work commensurate with the funds received, and has sought to introduce evidence – including videos and a Brett Favre radio clip – to support this claim, but these attempts have been blocked by the judge.
Allegations of Pressured Contracts and Lack of Oversight
John Davis’s testimony has been central to the prosecution’s case, as he has admitted to pressuring nonprofit leaders to award contracts to Ted DiBiase Jr. Specifically, Davis admitted to pressuring Nancy New, founder of New School Summit, and Christi Webb, director of the Family Resource Center, to grant DiBiase Jr. A $497,987 contract and a separate $500,000 contract through New’s nonprofit organization. WAPT News detailed Davis’s admission regarding these pressured contracts.
The prosecution has emphasized the lack of oversight surrounding these contracts. Testimony revealed that DiBiase Jr. Failed to provide receipts or any documentation to substantiate how the funds were spent. Despite this, Davis testified that he continued to push for more contracts to be awarded to DiBiase Jr. Sarah Kitchens, a former financial and administrative assistant at the Family Resource Center, testified that she sent letters to DiBiase Jr. Requesting monthly reports detailing how the funds were used, but he never complied. She testified that she was informed by Department of Human Services Director John Davis that documentation for contracts would no longer be required, raising further questions about the transparency of the process.
The Use of TANF Funds and Alleged Lavish Spending
The funds at the center of the case originated from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, a federal block grant designed to provide assistance to low-income families. The prosecution alleges that DiBiase Jr. Used approximately $2.9 million in what they describe as “sham contracts” to fund a lavish lifestyle. Specifically, prosecutors claim that DiBiase Jr. Used the money to purchase a new car, a new boat, and a personal residence in Madison, Mississippi. The alleged misuse of these funds has sparked outrage and fueled calls for greater accountability in the administration of welfare programs.
The case is particularly significant given the scale of the alleged fraud and the impact it could have had on vulnerable populations. TANF funds are intended to provide essential support to families struggling to make ends meet, and the diversion of these funds for personal gain represents a betrayal of public trust. The trial is expected to continue for several weeks, with further testimony from key witnesses and the presentation of additional evidence. The court is expected to hear more about the specific mechanisms allegedly used to bypass state accounting procedures and the full extent of the relationship between state officials and the nonprofits that managed the federal grants.
Prior Pleas and Broader Investigation
This trial is part of a larger investigation into the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) welfare scandal. In 2023, Brett DiBiase pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, acknowledging his role in the scheme to divert TANF funds. This guilty plea has been a foundational element of the prosecution’s narrative against Ted DiBiase Jr. The investigation has already led to the indictment of several other individuals, and it is likely that further charges will be filed as the case progresses. The scandal has prompted calls for systemic reforms to prevent similar abuses in the future.
As the trial of Ted DiBiase Jr. Continues, the focus remains on unraveling the complex web of relationships and financial transactions that prosecutors allege were used to defraud the state of Mississippi. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the administration of public funds, and the potential consequences of unchecked power and personal conflicts of interest. The next court date is scheduled for March 11, 2026, where further witness testimony is expected.
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