MISSISSIPPI — A Mississippi jury found Ted DiBiase Jr. not guilty of charges in the state's largest-ever public corruption scheme. The retired professional wrestler faced 13 charges including wire fraud, theft of receiving federal funds, and money laundering.

DiBiase was accused of misusing roughly $3 million in federal funds to purchase a $1.4 million home, a $55,000 pontoon boat, a $34,000 Kubota tractor, and a $40,000 truck. Prosecutors accused him of misappropriating millions of dollars in federal safety-net funds intended for needy families and low-income individuals in Mississippi.

The jury trial lasted 20 days, concluding a criminal case that spanned seven years. DiBiase did not accept a plea deal and opted for a jury trial.

Prosecutors alleged DiBiase conspired with John Davis, the former director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, to receive $2.9 million awarded to his businesses through sham contracts. Davis pleaded guilty to state and federal charges in the scandal and dispersed money from the Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

Co-conspirators Christi Webb and Nancy New awarded funds through sham contracts to businesses including five owned by DiBiase. He was tasked with creating an app for the Mississippi Department of Health that was never completed.

The fraud scheme involved an estimated $77 million allegedly distributed to individuals including Brett Favre, Marcus Dupree, Ted DiBiase Sr., and Brett DiBiase. The State of Mississippi sued 38 people to recover $24 million in misappropriated funds.

DiBiase is the 43-year-old son of wrestler Ted DiBiase Sr. He was nicknamed "The Fortunate Son" and was on the WWE roster from 2008 to 2013.

"I'm going to live again," DiBiase said following the verdict. "I believe they got it right."

"I give all glory to God. I give all the credit to my Lord and Savior," he said. "I thank (my team) they did an amazing job of portraying truth."

"I'm going to continue to serve people because that really is who I am," DiBiase said. "I do care about every Mississippian and to all the doubters or haters or people that have maybe had false information and not all the information, I forgive you and I love you too."