(NewsNation) — Federal authorities are investigating sexual assault and sexual trafficking allegations against World Wrestling Entertainment co-founder Vince McMahon, a new report from The Wall Street Journal says.
People familiar with the investigation told the newspaper that prosecutors in New York contacted women who have accused McMahon of sexual misconduct.
Last week, McMahon resigned as executive chairman of WWE parent TKO Group after a former employee filed a 67-page federal lawsuit alleging that he sexually exploited her and attempted to traffic her to other employees.
NewsNation local affiliate WFLA writes Janel Grant, who worked at the company’s headquarters, alleged years of sexual abuse at the hands of McMahon and the company’s former head of talent relations, John Laurinaitis.
McMahon has denied these allegations.
“I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations, and look forward to clearing my name,” McMahon said in a statement to the WSJ.
Federal agents executed a search warrant for McMahon’s phone and delivered a subpoena to him over the summer.
Allegations against McMahon
A grand jury subpoena described to the WSJ asks for documents related to any “rape, sex trafficking, sexual assault, commercial sex transaction, harassment or discrimination” allegations against current or former employees at WWE. This included any communications between McMahon and the women, including Grant.
Others named in the grand jury subpoena include Rita Chatterton, a former WWE referee who accused McMahon of rape; a former wrestler who said McMahon coerced her into oral sex; and a spa manager who alleged McMahon assaulted her at a resort in Southern California. Also mentioned is a former WWE employee, who said Laurinaitis demoted her after ending an affair with him.
Grant, per her lawsuit, says McMahon shared explicit photos and videos of her with men “both inside and outside of the company,” beginning in March 2020. An entry-level employee, Grant alleged she was coerced into performing sexual acts with multiple people at WWE headquarters during work hours.
During their encounters, McMahon subjected Grant to “extreme depravity” the lawsuit said. In 2021, Grant said McMahon and Laurinaitis sexually assaulted her in a WWE office.
When she was let go from the company in 2022, the suit claims, McMahon pressured Grant into signing a non-disclosure agreement.
In the filing, Grant provided over 300 allegations of sexual abuse. Grant’s attorney Ann Callis told NewsNation she has heard from more victims as well as others wanting to speak out about the WWE’s “culture of corruption.”
Although McMahon stepped down from his position Callis says that’s not enough, especially considering that she’s going up against a multibillion-dollar company and very powerful men.
“It’s been a long process, and (Grant) wants to speak out for any other victims,” Callis said in an interview with NewsNation’s Markie Martin on “Morning in America.”
WWE/TKO’s response
At a recent Royal Rumble event, WWE’s chief content officer Triple H deflected questions about McMahon, who is also his father-in-law.
“I choose to focus on the positive. Yes, there’s a negative, but I want to focus on that and keep it to that,” Triple H said shifting the focus on WWE’s latest deal with Netflix.
The Wall Street Journal reports that TKO Group warned investors about risks they faced because of McMahon, who is still a major shareholder.
TKO Group’s securities filings from last year said McMahon’s presence on its board could result in negative publicity.
“Any further allegations and investigations may have an adverse financial and operational impact on our business performance,” the filings said, according to the WSJ.
A lawyer for Laurinaitis, Edward Brennan, said: “We deny any and all allegations and will vigorously defend the charges against Mr. Laurinaitis in the appropriate setting.”
This story is developing. Refresh for updates.