WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase has filed a defamation lawsuit against the state of Mississippi, stemming from the ongoing welfare fund scandal that has already ensnared his son, Ted DiBiase Jr.
According to court filings first reported by Darkhorse Press, DiBiase Sr.—best known to wrestling fans as “The Million Dollar Man”—is suing Mississippi State Auditor Shad White over claims made in White’s 2024 book, Mississippi Swindle: Brett Favre and the Welfare Scandal. The book examines the alleged misuse of federal funds intended for anti-poverty programs in one of the poorest states in the country.
In his complaint, DiBiase Sr. Argues that the book falsely portrays him as legally responsible for the misuse of millions of dollars, despite his not having been charged or found culpable in court. His legal team contends that the publication blurred critical distinctions between his conduct and the criminal case involving DiBiase Jr., who is facing multiple federal charges, including wire fraud, theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, and money laundering.
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The lawsuit alleges that White’s statements caused direct and lasting harm to DiBiase Sr.’s reputation. It further claims that those statements contributed to the closure of Heart of David Ministries, a Christian nonprofit founded by DiBiase in 2001, which ceased operations in January 2025 amid public backlash. The complaint accuses White of “negligence, gross negligence, recklessness, defamation, and defamation per se,” arguing the claims were so damaging that proof of reputational harm is unnecessary.
DiBiase Sr. Is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, along with attorneys’ fees and court costs. He has also sought a temporary restraining order and an injunction to prevent further publication and distribution of the book, asserting that continued sales would cause “irreparable harm” and could influence future jury pools in related litigation.
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White has moved to dismiss the lawsuit. In a filing dated December 19, 2025, the state auditor invoked the doctrine of “absolute privilege,” arguing that statements made in the course of his official duties are protected from defamation claims. White is also seeking summary judgment, contending the case lacks legal grounds to proceed.