Vince McMahon 'under federal investigation' after sex-trafficking allegation
Former WWE boss Vince McMahon is reportedly at the centre of a federal probe after a former employee made sexual assault and sex trafficking allegations against the 78-year-old last week.
Janel Grant, who worked for the WWE at its Connecticut headquarters, filed a lawsuit on Jan. 25, claiming McMahon subjected her to "physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault and trafficking", while he "dangled career-making and life-changing promises in front of her". The lawsuit has also been brought against the WWE and its former head of talent relations John Laurinitis.
McMahon "vigorously" denies the allegations, which include claims of a rape threat and sexual injuries caused by the WWE founder, as well as an accusation he "defecated on Grant's head" during a threesome.
According to the Wall Street Journal, federal authorities are investigating the claims made against McMahon, with prosecutors in New York in contact with women who have accused McMahon of sexual misconduct.
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McMahon resigned from his role as executive chairman of TKO, the company formed by the merger of the WWE and UFC, the day after the lawsuit was filed.
"I stand by my prior statement that Ms. Grant's lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth," McMahon said in a statement on Jan. 26. "I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations, and look forward to clearing my name.
"However, out of respect for the WWE Universe, the extraordinary TKO business and its board members and shareholders, partners and constituents, and all of the employees and Superstars who helped make WWE into the global leader it is today, I have decided to resign from my executive chairmanship and the TKO board of directors, effective immediately."
Vince McMahon denies any wrongdoing amid accusations of sexual assault and sex trafficking. (Getty)McMahon has been probed by federal authorities over the past two years when it came to light that he had entered into financial settlement agreements with women who had accused him of sexual misconduct. He is not facing any criminal charges at this time.
The WWE conducted its own probe into the payments and found payments had been made to Grant and other women totalling $14.6 million. Grant claims she was "pressured" into signing a $3m nondisclosure agreement (NDA) after she left the company in 2022, although she says in her submissions to the court that payments stopped before the agreed sum was paid.
According to court documents, Grant says she met McMahon in March 2019 at a time of "profound grief" due to the death of her parents, who required full-time care and lost their home to bankruptcy.
To read the full story about the lawsuit brought against Vince McMahon, click HERE
In the complaint, Grant says McMahon showed an "increasing lack of boundaries" while promising her a life-changing job in the WWE. She joined the organization in June 2019, but only after she "submitted to McMahon's sexual demands".
Grant alleges McMahon defecated on her on May 9, 2020 and "commanded her to continue pleasuring another man" during a threesome while McMahon took a shower before returning. Grant says the encounter lasted for more than 90 minutes while she "remained covered in McMahon's filth".
Grant also claims she was sexually assaulted by McMahon and Laurinitis in the latter's office at the organization's base in Stamford, Connecticut. According to Grant's allegations in the court documents, the office door was locked and the two men "cornered her and pulled her in between them, forcibly touching her". Grant says she "begged them to stop", but they replied "No means yes" and "Take it, b****".
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The plaintiff also claims in the court documents McMahon once sent a text message that read: "Do NOT knock on the door cause if I see U ::: I will rape U in the hallway."
Grant's lawsuit is seeking punitive and compensatory financial damages, as well as having the NDA ruled void.
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