Sexual abuse lawsuit against Vince McMahon suspended during Justice Department investigation

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The former employee who accused WWE founder Vince McMahon of sexual abuse has put her lawsuit against McMahon, former WWE executive John Laurinaitis and the WWE itself on hold while the Justice Department continues its own investigation.

Janel Grant filed her lawsuit in January, alleging, among other things, that McMahon and Laurinatis sexually assaulted her in Laurinatis’ office at WWE headquarters. In February, news surfaced that McMahon was facing a federal investigation starting in 2022.

“Ms. Grant has agreed to a request from the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York to stay her case against Mr. McMahon, WWE and Mr. Laurinaitis pending a closed investigation,” Grant’s attorney Ann Callis said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “We will cooperate on any appropriate next steps.”

McMahon originally resigned from his position at WWE in 2022 after an internal investigation uncovered allegations of hush money payments to a former employee, but McMahon returned to his post in 2023 and resigned again following Grant’s lawsuit in January. In addition to the assault allegation and other claims, Grant claimed McMahon used her “as a sexual collateral” to keep an unnamed “WWE Superstar” while he negotiated a new contract.

McMahon resigned but denied the allegations.

In a statement to The WrapMcMahon’s lawyer said: “We remain convinced that the evidence will show that Ms. Grant’s allegations are false and her complaint is nothing more than a fabricated, vindictive narrative from a disgruntled ex-girlfriend.”