Vince McMahon is being investigated by the federal government.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Vince McMahon is under federal investigation for the sexual assault and sexual trafficking allegations against him. According to the report, federal investigators have been in contact with multiple women who have accused McMahon of sexual misconduct in the past.
McMahon resigned from WWE and TKO last week after former employee, Janel Grant, filed a lawsuit against him. Grant’s complaint accused McMahon of sexual assault and trafficking, including incidents at WWE headquarters and involving other men in the company.
The Journal reports that over the summer, federal agents executed a search warrant for McMahon’s phone. They also issued a subpoena to McMahon for any documents related to all allegations of “rape, sex trafficking, sexual assault, commercial sex transaction, harassment or discrimination” against current or former WWE employees.
In 2022, McMahon was found to have made payouts to multiple women who accused him of sexual misconduct, including Grant. The subpoena also called for proof of communication between McMahon and these women.
McMahon’s statement
McMahon issued a statement at the time of his resignation, denying the allegations.
“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,” Vince McMahon said. “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’s statement, issued to Dominic Patten of Deadline
John Laurinaitis, a co-defendant in the lawsuit issued by Grant, claims he was also a victim of McMahon’s. Laurinaitis (through his lawyer) issued a statement on Thursday:
VICE News received a statement from Laurinaitis’ lawyer, Edward Brennan. VICE noted that Brennan “appeared to corroborate central claims in the suit” and disputed his client’s role described in the lawsuit. According to Brennan, Laurinaitis is a victim in this story, too.
Laurinaitis’ statement
“Mr. Laurinaitis denies the allegations in the misguided complaint and will be vigorously defending these charges in Court, not the media. Like the Plaintiff, Mr. Laurinaitis is a victim in this case, not a predator. The truth will come out,” Brennan wrote.
“The truth will come out,” Brennan added.
VICE asked Brennan a follow-up question about McMahon and Laurinaitis’ roles in the complaint and asked Brennan to clarify that they were saying Laurinaitis was a victim of McMahon.
“Read the allegations. Read the Federal Statute. Power, control, employment supervisory capacity, dictatorial sexual demands with repercussions if not met. Count how many times in the complaint Vince exerts control over both of them,” Brennan replied.
The complaint (read in full here) accused McMahon and Laurinaitis of sexually assaulting Grant in WWE’s corporate offices in Stamford, Connecticut. The suit also accused McMahon of trafficking her to Laurinaitis and setting up appointments for him to have sexual relations with her.
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