Justice Department investigates Vince McMahon and WWE, court proceedings suspended

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York today submitted materials in a sealed document to federal court related to an investigation it launched into disgraced McMahon, World Wrestling Entertainment and former WWE head of talent relations John Laurinaitis.

Accordingly DeadlineThe lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant is now on hold because the US government has intervened.

“Please list, in addition to my already listed attorney, my appearance as counsel for the United States of America, Sarah Mortazavi, Assistant United States Attorney,” wrote U.S. Attorney Damien Williams.

But five months after Jamel Grant filed her alarming allegations against McMahon, WWE and others, her attorney confirms that the long-awaited move by the Justice Department is significant enough to halt the original case for now.

“Ms. Grant has agreed to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York’s request to stay her case against Mr. McMahon, WWE and Mr. Laurinaitis pending an ongoing non-public investigation,” said Grant’s attorney Ann Callis. “We will cooperate with any appropriate next steps.”

McMahon’s attorney issued a statement: “The gruesome allegations of rape and sex trafficking against former WWE boss Vince McMahon are not yet in court thanks to the Department of Justice.”

Vince McMahon recently sold his shares in the TKO Group, which owns WWE and UFC, worth nearly $412 million.

The sale of 5.35 million shares follows a deal in November in which he sold 8.4 million for $670.3 million.

Accordingly diversityMcMahon owned 20.35 million shares in December and still holds 15 million today.

In January, former WWE employee Janel Grant sued Vince McMahon for sex trafficking and assault. Grant claims she was the hush money employee during McMahon’s 2022 investigation.

Also named in the lawsuit were WWE and former manager and wrestler John Laurinaitis. Laurinaitis, known in the wrestling world as Johnny Ace, was accused of sexual abuse. The company is accused of covering up the crimes through a false investigation.

Grant revealed that she had signed a non-disclosure agreement in 2022, agreeing to pay her $3 million and not reveal details of her dealings with McMahon. After $1 million, McMahon stopped making payments, and now the lawsuit is said to be seeking financial damages.

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Accordingly The Wall Street JournalMcMahon pressured Grant into sexual acts to improve her role in the company. McMahon met Grant in her apartment complex after her parents died. McMahon lived in the penthouse. McMahon created the position of “administrator coordinator,” which drew the ire of other employees because she had little work while others had “overflowing inboxes.”

McMahon is accused of using sex toys with Grant that he named after wrestlers, which caused bruising and bleeding. He also leaked nude photos of Grant to the production crew. In addition, Grant stated that she was locked in a room by McMahon and another manager, who took turns sexually abusing her. Grant named Laurinaitis and stated that he and McMahon tied her up and told her “no means yes” and “take it, bitch.” McMahon also locked her in his dressing room and forced himself on her on a massage table.

McMahon also allegedly used nude pictures of Grant during contract negotiations with Brock Lesnar. Lesnar reportedly told Vince he liked the pictures, and Vince told Grant, “Part of the deal was to f— you.” After exchanging phone numbers, Lesnar allegedly asked Grant to send a video of himself urinating.

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The agreement was supposed to end once Vince’s wife, Linda McMahon, found out about it. Instead, after the NDA was passed, McMahon forced Grant to perform oral sex and then tried to sell her to a WWE star in March 2022.

McMahon temporarily stepped down in the summer of 2022 and returned to organize a sale of the company to Endeavor. The company merged with UFC to form TKO Group Holdings. McMahon currently serves as an officer and member of the board of directors.

TKO Group Holdings released a statement to diversity:

A spokesman for McMahon shared a statement Deadline:

Grant’s lawyer Ann Callis also responded:

In July 2023, Vince McMahon was served with a subpoena in federal court when police officers executed a search warrant on his home.

Accordingly ESPNMcMahon was on sick leave following major spinal surgery. No charges were filed against McMahon.

The wrestling giant says the company has received legal requests to release documents related to the investigation.

“WWE has cooperated throughout and fully understands and respects the government’s request for a full process,” the company said in a statement.

Accordingly Cage seatsA special committee of the company’s board of directors conducted an internal investigation into a hush money scandal involving McMahon. In announcing its second quarter 2023 financial results, WWE announced that costs associated with the investigation totaled $12.4 million.

McMahon released a statement to CNBC:

“In 2022, WWE formed a special committee to review the allegations of misconduct against me. That review was completed in November 2022 following a comprehensive investigation. Throughout this experience, I have consistently denied any intentional wrongdoing and continue to do so. I am confident that the government’s investigation will conclude with no findings of wrongdoing. I am focused on completing the recovery process from my recent spinal surgery and completing our transaction with Endeavor, which will create one of the preeminent global sports and entertainment brands.”