WWE founder Vince McMahon was accused of sexual abuse and sexual trafficking in a bombshell lawsuit filed by a former WWE worker.
Jan. 25 2024, Printed 2:03 p.m. ET
WWE founder Vince McMahon was accused of sexual abuse and sexual trafficking in a bombshell lawsuit filed by a former WWE worker this week, RadarOnline.com can report.
The surprising lawsuit was filed in opposition to McMahon, the WWE, and former WWE Head of Expertise Relations John Laurinaitis by Janel Grant in Connecticut on Thursday.
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The surprising lawsuit was filed in opposition to McMahon, the WWE, and former WWE Head of Expertise Relations John Laurinaitis by Janel Grant in Connecticut on Thursday.
In response to court docket paperwork obtained by RadarOnline.com, Grant alleged that McMahon sexually abused and sexually assaulted her when he was nonetheless serving as CEO of the favored leisure firm.
Much more surprising had been the alleged sufferer’s claims that she was sexually trafficked to different males by McMahon “as a pawn to safe expertise offers” with potential wrestlers being eyed by the WWE.
Grant sued each McMahon and Laurinaitis for violation of the Trafficking Victims Prevention Act, civil battery, and intentional or negligent infliction of emotional misery.
She additionally sued the WWE for collaborating in enterprise in violation of the Trafficking Victims Prevention Act and negligence.
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Grant alleged that McMahon sexually abused and sexually assaulted her when he was nonetheless serving as CEO of the favored leisure firm.
In response to Grant’s lawsuit, she labored as a WWE worker from June 2019 till January 2022.
Throughout her time as an worker, each McMahon and Laurinaitis allegedly engaged within the sexual assault and trafficking of Grant “each for their very own pleasure and as a pawn to safe expertise offers with potential wrestlers they had been recruiting” on WWE property and utilizing WWE funding.
The lawsuit alleged that McMahon “repeatedly used intercourse toys named after different WWE staff, wrestlers and performers to sexually groom Ms. Grant for trafficking to those self same folks.”
McMahon additionally allegedly “subjected Ms. Grant to acts of maximum cruelty and degradation that induced Ms. Grant to disassociate and/or turn into numb to actuality with the intention to survive the horrific encounters.”
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In response to Grant’s lawsuit, she labored as a WWE worker from June 2019 till January 2022.
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Throughout one alleged encounter in Could 2020, McMahon allegedly “defecated on Ms. Grant throughout a threesome” and “commanded her to proceed pleasuring his buddy” whereas McMahon “went to the lavatory to bathe off.”
Each McMahon and Laurinaitis had been accused of raping their alleged sufferer at a WWE convention desk throughout one other purported encounter.
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“No means sure,” the 2 WWE execs allegedly instructed Grant throughout that alleged incident. “Take it, b—-.”
Flash ahead to January 2022, and Grant claimed that she was “abruptly pressured to resign from the WWE” and “compelled to signal an NDA” in alternate for $3 million.
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“No means sure,” the 2 WWE execs allegedly instructed Grant throughout one alleged encounter.
However McMahon, who later resigned as CEO of WWE that June, allegedly “refused” to pay Grant the total $3 million by “falsely claiming that she had leaked data to the press.”
Whereas McMahon reportedly paid Grant $1 million in February 2022, he “didn’t make any additional funds.”
Grant is searching for unspecified financial damages from McMahon, Laurinaitis, and the WWE, in addition to a declaratory judgment to void the nondisclosure settlement she signed upon her WWE resignation in January 2022.
“At this time’s criticism seeks to carry accountable two WWE executives who sexually assaulted and trafficked Plaintiff Janel Grant, in addition to the group that facilitated or turned a blind eye to the abuse after which swept it below the rug,” Ann Callis, Grant’s legal professional, stated in a press release.
“She is an extremely personal and brave one who has suffered deeply by the hands of Mr. McMahon and Mr. Laurinaitis,” Callis continued. “Ms. Grant hopes that her lawsuit will forestall different ladies from being victimized.”
“The group is effectively conscious of Mr. McMahon’s historical past of wicked conduct, and it’s time that they take accountability for the misconduct of its management.”