Vince McMahon is accused of sexual misconduct in a new lawsuit by a former WWE employee
A former WWE employee filed a federal complaint on Thursday, alleging boss Vince McMahon and another former executive of significant sexual misconduct, including giving her to a famous wrestler for sex.
Janel Grant, who worked in the company’s legal and talent departments, filed a graphic 67-page lawsuit alleging that McMahon, now 78, forced her into a sexual relationship in order for her to get and keep a job, as well as passing around pornographic pictures and videos of her to other men, including WWE employees.
McMahon resigned as WWE CEO in 2022 following a probe into claims similar to those in the case, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Connecticut, where WWE is headquartered.
Grant also names WWE and its former head of talent relations and general manager, John Laurinaitis, as defendants in the case.
The Associated Press normally does not name accusers in sexual assault cases, but Grant’s attorneys said she wanted to go public.
“Ms. Grant hopes that her lawsuit will prevent other women from being victimized,” her lawyer, Ann Callis, said in a statement. “The organization is well aware of Mr. McMahon’s history of depraved behavior, and it’s time that they take responsibility for the misconduct of its leadership.”
WWE’s parent company, TKO Group, said it is taking the claims seriously.
“Mr. McMahon does not control TKO, nor does he oversee WWE’s day-to-day operations,” TKO Group stated in a statement. “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.”
Email and social media communications seeking reactions were also sent to McMahon and Laurinaitis.
According to the complaint, McMahon resided in the same building as Grant and was offered a position at WWE in 2019 when her parents passed away.
She claims that he ultimately made it apparent that one of the work conditions was a physical connection with him, followed by Laurinaitis and others.
McMahon showered her with gifts over the following three years, including a fancy automobile, according to the lawsuit.
It further claims that in 2021, McMahon offered sex with Grant as a bonus to one of his top wrestlers (who is not named in the complaint).
“WWE benefited financially from the commercial sex act venture orchestrated by McMahon, including by having wrestling talent such as WWE Superstar sign new contracts with WWE after McMahon presented Plaintiff as a sexual commodity for their use,” according to the lawsuit.
Grant is suing for unspecified monetary damages and to have a $3 million nondisclosure agreement nullified, claiming she only received $1 million.
McMahon was WWE’s leader and most famous face for decades. When he acquired the World Wrestling Federation from his father in 1982, wrestling events were held in modest venues and shown on local cable networks.
WWE contests are now staged in professional sports arenas, and the company has a considerable international fanbase.
Last April, WWE merged with the firm that operates Ultimate Fighting Championship to become TKO Group Holdings, a $21.4 billion sports entertainment corporation, with McMahon serving as executive chairman of the board.