Warning: This article contains details of sexual assault
A former employee of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has accused ex-chairman Vince McMahon of sex trafficking, sexual assault and bribery.
According to the new lawsuit, which was filed on Thursday, Vince McMahon promised Janel Grant career opportunities while sexually and physically abusing her.
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The ex-WWE worker also alleged in the lawsuit that the 78-year-old attempted to sexually exploit her to various men inside and outside of the company.
Grant lists various other disturbing allegations and also accuses the wrestling company and former head of talent relations, John Laurinaitis, of negligence, civil battery and causing emotional distress.
It’s said that Grant began working for WWE in June 2019 and was allegedly asked by McMahon for sexually explicit photos and video clips.
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According to the lawsuit, when the former employee ‘expressed apprehension with his requests’ she was reminded of the businessman’s ‘power and influence’.
The filed documents claim that explicit videos of Grant were shared with a ‘world-famous athlete and former UFC Heavyweight Champion’, who allegedly asked her to send a video of herself urinating.
Grant did send this clip, according to the lawsuit, however she managed to avoid a ‘playdate’ for a sexual encounter with the star.
It’s said that this situation came about as the unnamed athlete was told by McMahon that Grant would ‘do anything’ for him.
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The suit also claims that McMahon defecated on Grant during a sexual encounter and that he caused her to suffer ‘physical injuries’ due to the ‘forceful use of sex toys’.
The lawsuit also includes details of Grant’s alleged sexual assault in June 2021, when she claims to have been locked in an office at the WWE headquarters in Connecticut.
It says that McMahon and Laurinaitis - known by his former ring name Jonny Ace - sexually assaulted her despite objections.
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In another alleged incident, McMahon is said to have locked Grant in a locker room and forced himself on her.
Grant claims to have received a $15,000 gift card after this incident to spend at luxury American department store Bloomingdale's, the complaint said.
The filed document also includes various text messages between McMahon and the woman, several of which included graphic language and explicit sexual desires.
The submitted messages also include details about creating ‘a schedule for when other men… could have sex’ with her, as per the lawsuit.
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However, in January 202, as per the submitted documents, McMahon’s wife, Linda McMahon, had learned about the relationship and would be seeking divorce.
In a bid to defuse media attention, it’s said that the former wrestling CEO allegedly pressured Grant into signing an NDA and promised to pay her $3 million.
Grant admitted to signing the agreement in the lawsuit due to being ‘in a state of mental defeat and fear from McMahon’s threats’. However, the businessman reportedly paid her $1 million before ‘failing to make any further payments’.
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She is now seeking to void the nondisclosure agreement that she signed back in 2022.
Regarding the newly filed lawsuit, Grant’s attorney, Ann Callis, said: “Today’s complaint seeks to hold accountable two WWE executives who sexually assaulted and trafficked Plaintiff Janel Grant, as well as the organisation that facilitated or turned a blind eye to the abuse and then swept it under the rug.”
“She is an incredibly private and courageous person who has suffered deeply at the hands of Mr. McMahon and Mr. Laurinaitis.
“Ms. Grant hopes that her lawsuit will prevent other women from being victimised.”
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However, a spokesperson for McMahon told the Wall Street Journal: “This lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth. He will vigorously defend himself.”
The WWE also told SPORTbible: “Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE. While this matter pre-dates our TKO executive team’s tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant’s horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally.”
UNILAD has attempted to contact a rep for McMahon for further comment.
Ella Scott