Vince McMahon’s co-defendant in a shocking civil sex trafficking lawsuit is now claiming to also be the victim of McMahon’s actions in a shocking turn against the former WWE captain.
John Laurinaitis, WWE’s former head of talent relations and a fellow defendant in a lawsuit brought by former WWE employee Janelle Grant, was allegedly recruited by McMahon to have sex with Grant.
“Mr. Laurinaitis denies the allegations in the false complaint and intends to vigorously defend these charges in court, not in the media,” said Laurinaitis’ attorney Edward Brennan. told VICE News.
“Like the plaintiff, Mr. Laurinaitis is a victim in this case, not a predator. The truth will come out.”
Grant said McMahon, who has since stepped down as executive chairman of WWE’s parent company TKO Holdings, trafficked her to other WWE executives, sexually abused her with toys named after wrestling stars, and claims that he defecated on her during a threesome.
At Mr. McMahon’s behest, she visited Mr. Laurinaitis, the stepfather of former WWE stars Nikki Garcia and Brie Garcia, and the “Bella Twins,” in his hotel room for sex before work and raped him. He is said to have been transferred to the talent relations department.
According to a lawsuit filed in Connecticut, Laurinaitis and McMahon forced Grant, 43, and took turns restraining her during the June 2021 incident at WWE headquarters.
Court documents say they told her during the alleged assault, “No means yes” and “Be patient, oh well.”
“Please read the allegations carefully,” Brennan told VICE. “Read the federal law: power, control, ability to supervise employment, dictatorial sexual demands with consequences if not met.” The complaint counts how many times Vince put them under control. Please try it.”
Mr. McMahon denied the accusations and resigned last week.
“I stand by my previous statements that Mr. Grant’s lawsuit is a lie, a far-fetched and salacious fabrication, and a persistent distortion of the truth,” McMahon said in a statement last Friday. “I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless charges and look forward to clearing my name.
“However, out of respect for the WWE Universe, the extraordinary TKO business, its board members and shareholders, partners and constituents, and all of the employees and Superstars who have helped make WWE the world leader it is today, I am resigning. ‘I was removed from my Executive Chairman position and from the TKO Board of Directors virtually immediately. ”
According to the Wall Street Journal, McMahon is currently under federal investigation by New York prosecutors on charges of sexual assault and sex trafficking.
A WWE investigation found that McMahon paid $14.6 million to multiple women who accused him of sexual misconduct.
“[Grant] I hope that people in companies past and present who are afraid to speak out about harm are a thing of the past. She prays for peace for them all,” Grant’s attorney, Ann Callis, said in a statement.
