Vince McMahon may have declared the SEC investigation against him resolved, but the legal troubles for WWE’s former CEO are far from over. Janel Grant, a former WWE employee who has accused McMahon of sexual exploitation and coercion, remains entangled in a pending civil lawsuit. On behalf of Grant, her attorney Ann Callis released a fiery statement today, disputing McMahon’s claims and highlighting the ongoing criminal investigation by the Southern District of New York.
Attorney’s Statement: “Rules Did Not Apply”
In her statement, Callis accused McMahon of acting as though he were above the law during his tenure as WWE’s leader. She pointed to the SEC’s findings as evidence of McMahon’s alleged misconduct:
“The SEC’s charges prove that the NDA Vince McMahon coerced Ms. Grant into signing violates the law, and therefore her case must be heard in court. While prosecutors for the Southern District of New York continue their criminal investigation, we look forward to bringing forward new evidence in our civil case about the sexual exploitation Ms. Grant endured at WWE by Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis.”
The statement underscores the seriousness of the allegations, which go beyond McMahon’s recent $1.73 million settlement with the SEC.
Allegations Against McMahon and Laurinaitis
Grant’s lawsuit paints a grim picture of her time at WWE. She alleges McMahon coerced her into a sexual relationship, promising career advancement in return for compliance, and involving other individuals, including former WWE executive John Laurinaitis. The lawsuit further claims that McMahon forced her to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) to silence her, an agreement that her legal team now argues is illegal in light of the SEC’s findings.
Current Status: Civil Case on Hold
The civil suit, filed last year, has been temporarily paused pending the federal criminal investigation into McMahon. WWE and McMahon have reportedly sought to move the lawsuit to private arbitration, a move that would likely limit public scrutiny of the case. Despite these efforts, Callis’s statement indicates that Grant’s team is preparing to present new evidence once the case moves forward.