Tampa, Florida (W.F.L.A.) – Vince McMahon has resigned as chairman of TKO Group following allegations of sex trafficking and abuse in a federal lawsuit filed Thursday.
according to federal lawsuit In a filing Thursday, Janelle Grant, who worked at the company's corporate headquarters, alleged that McMahon sexually exploited her and attempted to traffic her to other WWE employees.
The 67-page complaint details years of alleged abuse, primarily at the hands of McMahon, 77, and the company's former head of talent relations, John Laurinaitis. In 2022, McMahon suddenly said,walked awayAfter the WWE Board of Directors launched an investigation, he announced his resignation from the company and announced his retirement. Suspicion of payment of “hush money” and misconduct involving both men.
McMahon said in a statement provided to News Channel 8 through a TKO spokesperson on Friday: “We stand by our previous statements that Mr. Grant's lawsuit is full of lies, farcical and salacious fabrications, and is a vindictive distortion of the legal system.” truth. I look forward to vigorously defending myself against these baseless accusations and clearing my name. ”
Mr. McMahon added that he is resigning immediately out of respect for the business/stockholders of WWE and TKO.
According to the complaint, Grant's apartment manager expected her to get a job in 2019 because she was “deeply grieving and experiencing financial difficulties” after losing her parents. He then introduced Mr. McMahon. McMahon was accused of showering her with compliments and gifts, “throwing promises that would make her career or change her life” right in front of her.
McMahon was accused of sharing explicit photos and videos of Grant with men “inside and outside the company,” including “a former world-famous athlete and former player with whom WWE was actively trying to sign a new contract.” The UFC heavyweight champion was also included (and eventually) “signed that contract” starting in March 2020. A person familiar with the matter said: wall street journalThe person who first reported the lawsuit said the company was courting Brock Lesnar to return to the ring at the time.
As a new employee, Grant claims in the lawsuit that he was forced to engage in sexual acts with multiple people at WWE headquarters during work hours, including one that he reported to Laurinaitis “prior to the start of his shift for a sexual relationship.” He claimed that he was made to do so.
The lawsuit alleges that McMahon subjected her to “extreme depravity” during their encounter. In 2021, Grant claimed that McMahon and Laurinaitis forced themselves on her and sexually assaulted her in WWE's offices.
The complaint alleges that Grant was pressured by McMahon to sign a non-disclosure agreement in 2022 after he was fired from the company. He claimed that Linda McMahon, the wife of former President Donald Trump's cabinet member, learned of his affair with Grant.
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