Vince McMahon Accused Of Sex Trafficking
WWE founder accused of sex trafficking. TKO, McMahon and legal teams respond to allegations.
Content warning; discussion of alleged sexual assault
Vince McMahon has been accused of sex trafficking by a former member of his staff.
The story was reported by the The Wall Street Journal, following the filing of a lawsuit from former WWE employee Janel Grant. The suit documents in lengthy detail allegations of sexual, physical and emotional abuse by McMahon between 2019 and 2022, and that amidst promises of career advancement and gifts of varying financial nature she was allegedly exploited and trafficked to other men in WWE. John Laurinaitis is named in the suit as one of those men, as well as a wrestler listed as "WWE Superstar".
The 67-page court document can be read in full here. Reader discretion is advised - the lawsuit goes into graphic detail of the multiple incidents and interactions between Grant, McMahon, Laurinaitis and others between their early-2019 first meeting and final encounter in 2022. This includes text messages and recollections of conversations with the above-named as well as interactions with un-named and high-ranking employees listed as WWE Corporate Officer No. 1, WWE Corporate Officer No. 2, WWE Corporate Officer No. 3 and WWE Corporate Officer No. 4, that at various points throughout the suit may or may not have been aware of the ongoing charges and abuses.
It's noted that in 2022, Ms. Grant signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement, with McMahon agreeing to pay her $3 million to not discuss the their relationship or disparage him. McMahon resigned from WWE in July 2022 amidst a sexual harassment scandal and allegations of "hush money" payments using company funds. WWE held an internal investigation with a panel that included Stephanie McMahon and Paul Levesque. The investigation concluded in November 2022, with McMahon himself paying the costs of the committee. Ms. Grant's lawsuit goes on to refer to the entire process as a "sham", and that McMahon no longer continued to pay the remaining amount of the original NDA settlement.
The lawsuit looks to render the NDA invalid under state and federal law, with payment of compensatory and punitive damages under other laws, including the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
McMahon is currently the Executive Chairman Of TKO Group Holdings, after reinstalling himself as WWE boss in early-2023 ahead of a merger with UFC under the TKO branding. The company issued a statement to Variety in the aftermath of the lawsuit stating the following;
“Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE. While this matter predates our TKO executive team’s tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant’s horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally.”
A representative of McMahon issued a statement to Deadline;
"This lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth. He will vigorously defend himself."
POST Wrestling's John Pollock was sent a response from Ann Callis of the Holland Law Firm, the firm representing Ms. Grant. That read;
"Today's complaint seeks to hold accountable two WWE executives who sexually assaulted and trafficked Plaintiff Janel Grant, as well as the organisation that facilitated or turned a blind eye to the abuse and then swept it under the rug...she is an incredibly private and courageous person who has suffered deeply at the hands of Mr. McMahon and Mr. Laurinaitis. Ms. Grant hopes that her lawsuit will prevent other women from being victimized. The organization is well aware of Mr. McMahon's history of depraved behaviour, and it's time they take responsibility for the misconduct of its leadership".
More on the story as and when it breaks.