In a sealed filing today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York submitted materials to the federal court regarding an investigation they have initiated into the disgraced McMahon, World Wrestling Entertainment, and WWE’s former head of Talent Relations, John Laurinaitis.
According to Deadline, the lawsuit brought by former WWE staff member Janel Grant will now be on hold as the United States government has stepped in.
“In addition to counsel already of record, please enter my appearance as counsel for the United States of America, Sarah Mortazavi, Assistant United States Attorney,” wrote U.S. Attorney Damien Williams.
However, five months after Jamel Grant filed her alarming allegations against McMahon, WWE, and others, her attorney confirms that the DOJ’s long-anticipated move is significant enough to halt the initial case for the time being.
“Ms. Grant has consented to a request by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York to stay her case against Mr. McMahon, WWE and Mr. Laurinaitis, pursuant to a pending non-public investigation,” said Grant’s lawyer Ann Callis. “We will cooperate with all appropriate next steps.”
McMahon’s lawyer issued a statement: ” The horrific rape and sex trafficking allegations against former WWE boss Vince McMahon won’t have their day in court yet, thanks to the Department of Justice.”
Vince McMahon recently sold nearly $412 million of his stock in the TKO Group, which owns the WWE and UFC.
The sale sof 5.35 million shares follows a November deal where he sold 8.4 million for $670.3 million.
According to Variety, McMahon owned 20.35 million shares in December, and he still holds 15 million to date.
In January, former WWE employee Janel Grant sued Vince McMahon for sex trafficking and assault. Grant states she was the hush money employee in the 2022 investigation of McMahon.
Also named in the suit were WWE and former executive and wrestler John Laurinaitis. Laurinaitis, known as Johnny Ace in the wrestling world, was accused of sexual assault. The company is accused of covering the crimes in a false investigation.
Grant revealed she signed a nondisclosure agreement in 2022 that agreed to pay her $3 million not to provide details of her dealings with McMahon. After $1 million, McMahon stopped making payments and now the suit is to obtain financial damages.
According to The Wall Street Journal, McMahon pressured Grant into sexual acts to advance her role in the company. McMahon met Grant in their condo building after the latter parents had died. McMahon lived in the penthouse. McMahon created the “administrator-coordinator” position, which became the ire of other employees as she had a low level of work while others had “overflowing inboxes.”
McMahon is accused of using sex toys with Grant that he named after wrestlers that led to bruising and bleeding. He also passed nude pictures of Grant across the production team. In addition, Grant stated she was locked in a room by McMahon and another executive who took turns sexually assaulting her. Naming Laurinaitis, Grant stated he and McMahon restrained her and told her, “No means yes” and “Take it, bitch.” McMahon also locked her in his locker room and forced himself on her at a massage table.
McMahon also allegedly used nude images of Grant in contract negotiations with Brock Lesnar. Lesnar reportedly told Vince he liked the images, and Vince told Grant, “Part of the deal was f—ing U.” After an exchange of phone numbers, Lesnar allegedly asked Grant to send a video of herself urinating.
The arrangement was supposed to end once Vince’s wife, Linda McMahon, found out. Instead, after enacting the NDA, McMahon forced oral sex on Grant and then attempted to traffic her to a WWE Star in March 2022.
McMahon temporarily stepped down in the summer of 2022, returning to orchestrate a sale of the company to Endeavor, merging with UFC to become TKO Group Holdings. McMahon currently serves as an executive and member of the Board of Directors.
TKO Group Holdings released a statement to Variety:
“Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE. While this matter predates our TKO executive team’s tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant’s horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally.”
A spokesperson for McMahon shared a statement to Deadline:
“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.”
Grant’s lawyer, Ann Callis, also served a response:
“Today’s complaint seeks to hold accountable two WWE executives who sexually assaulted and trafficked Plaintiff Janel Grant, as well as the organization 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 victimized. The organization is well aware of Mr. McMahon’s history of depraved behavior, and it’s time that they take responsibility for the misconduct of its leadership.”
In July 2023, Vince McMahon was served a federal grand jury subpoena as law enforcement agents executed a search warrant on his home.
According to ESPN, McMahon was on medical leave following a major spinal surgery. No charges have been brought against McMahon.
The wrestling giant states the company received legal demands for documents regarding the investigation.
“WWE has cooperated throughout and fully understands and respects the government’s need for a complete process,” the company said in a statement.
According to Cageside Seats, a special committee of members of the company’s Board of Directors conducted an internal investigation into a hush-money scandal with McMahon. In their second quarter 2023 financial earnings reveal, WWE announced expenses related to the investigation cost a combined $12.4 million.
McMahon released a statement to CNBC:
“In 2022, WWE formed a special committee to review allegations of misconduct against me. That review was concluded in November 2022 following an extensive investigation. Throughout this experience, I have always denied any intentional wrongdoing and continue to do so. I am confident that the government’s investigation will be resolved without any findings of wrongdoing. I am focused on completing the recovery process from my recent spinal surgery and on closing our transaction with Endeavor, which will create one of the preeminent global sports and entertainment brands.”
Vince McMahon has resigned from his position at TKO, the parent company of the WWE and UFC. Furthermore, it comes after a sexual assault lawsuit was filed against him by a former employee. “I stand by my prior statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth. I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations, and look forward to clearing my name,” McMahon said in a statement. However, McMahon also stated that “out of respect for the WWE Universe, the extraordinary TKO business and its board members and shareholders, partners and constituents, and all of the employees and Superstars who helped make WWE into the global leader it is today, I have decided to resign from my executive chairmanship and the TKO board of directors, effective immediately,” he continued.
TKO staff were informed of McMahon’s departure in a memo on Friday night. Meanwhile, his accuser’s attorney has released further statements about her client’s intentions. “Ms. Grant hopes that her lawsuit will prevent other women from being victimized. The organization is well aware of Mr. McMahon’s history of depraved behavior. It’s time that they take responsibility for the misconduct of its leadership,” Ann Callis noted.
Read More:
What Is Vince McMahon Accused Of?
WWE founder Vince McMahon is stepping down following an accusation of abuse, sexual assault and trafficking. pic.twitter.com/eap9OCf5k5
McMahon has been sued by a former WWE employee, who has accused the brand’s founder of sexual exploitation and trafficking. Janel Grant filed her suit in the US District of Connecticut. Additionally, the suit names McMahon, the WWE, and former head of talent relations John Laurinaitis. Grant alleges that both men sexually assaulted her on WWE property and trafficked her to secure contracts with prospective talent.
Furthermore, McMahon allegedly “repeatedly used sex toys named after other WWE employees, wrestlers and performers to sexually groom Ms. Grant for trafficking to those same people,” according to the suit. Additionally, the suit comes just days after the WWE, which McMahon resigned from in 2022 over claims of hush money to cover up sexual assault allegations, signed a blockbuster streaming deal with Netflix. The streaming giant will have exclusive broadcast rights to Monday Night RAW starting in 2025.
Vince McMahon has been sued by a former WWE employee, who has accused the brand’s founder of sexual exploitation and trafficking. Janel Grant filed her suit in the US District of Connecticut. The suit names McMahon, the WWE, and former head of talent relations John Laurinaitis. Grant alleges that both men sexually assaulted her on WWE property and trafficked her to secure contracts with prospective talent.
Furthermore, McMahon allegedly “repeatedly used sex toys named after other WWE employees, wrestlers and performers to sexually groom Ms. Grant for trafficking to those same people,” according to the suit. The suit comes just days after the WWE, which McMahon resigned from in 2022 over claims of hush money to cover up sexual assault allegations, signed a blockbuster streaming deal with Netflix. The streaming giant will have exclusive broadcast rights to Monday Night RAW starting in 2025.
Linda McMahon Reportedly Forced Alleged Assault Victim To Quit
A former employee of WWE has sued founder Vince McMahon, alleging he abused and sexually exploited her when he was CEO of the wrestling-entertainment company — and that McMahon allegedly exploited her and trafficked her to other men “as a pawn to secure talent deals with… pic.twitter.com/mwaIJ2lppr
However, Grant’s suit also claims that she did not leave the WWE under her own volition. Per the suit, she “was abruptly pressured to resign from the WWE and forced to sign an NDA days before a major financial deadline for the organization. This was under the guise that Mr. McMahon would ‘protect her’ financially and reputationally, and pay her $3 million. However, Mr. McMahon later refused to make payments to Ms. Grant. He also falsely claimed that she had leaked information to the press.” Grant claims to have been paid $1 million in 2022 but received no payments after that. Furthermore, Grant claims that her abrupt dismissal came after Linda McMahon, Vince’s wife, found about his actions with Grant.
“Today’s complaint seeks to hold accountable two WWE executives who sexually assaulted and trafficked Plaintiff Janel Grant, as well as the organization 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 victimized. The organization is well aware of Mr. McMahon’s history of depraved behavior. And it’s time that they take responsibility for the misconduct of its leadership,” Grant’s attorney said in a statement.
Vince McMahon, the former CEO of WWE, has carved an indelible mark in the world of entertainment and sports. His journey from modest beginnings to amassing a staggering net worth of $3 billion in 2023, per Celebrity Net Worth, speaks volumes about his relentless ambition and visionary leadership.
A Visionary’s Beginnings
LAS VEGAS – AUGUST 24: World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. Chairman Vince McMahon appears in the ring during the WWE Monday Night Raw show at the Thomas & Mack Center August 24, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Vince McMahon’s story began humbly, inheriting a small wrestling promotion from his father in the 1980s. Determined to transform the industry, he rebranded it as the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). His innovative approach and penchant for spectacle propelled the company onto the global stage.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 03: (L-R) Wrestlers Triple H and John Cena, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and WWE Diva and Playboy model Maria at the 1 Million Dollar Mania press conference on June 3, 2008 at the staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by George Napolitano/FilmMagic)
Under McMahon’s guidance, WWE evolved from a small venture to an international phenomenon. He pioneered pay-per-view events like WrestleMania, drawing millions of viewers and propelling the careers of legendary wrestlers like Hulk Hogan, The Rock, and Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Vince McMahon gets his head shaved by Stone Cold Steve Austin after as Donald Trump looks on at WrestleMania 23 at Detroit’s Ford Field, Detroit Michigan. April 1, 2007 (Photo by Leon Halip/WireImage)
McMahon wasn’t without controversy. The 1990s saw a shift to edgier content, which led to clashes with conservative groups and regulatory bodies. The “Attitude Era” pushed boundaries, garnering high ratings but also sparking debates about appropriateness in mainstream media.
His controversies extend beyond the “Attitude Era.” In June 2022, he stepped down from his position as CEO and chairman of WWE after accusations emerged of hush-money agreements with women that he allegedly had affairs with. He has also faced a number of allegations surrounding sexual misconduct, going as far back as 1992.
LAS VEGAS – AUGUST 24: World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. Chairman Vince McMahon appears in the ring during the WWE Monday Night Raw show at the Thomas & Mack Center August 24, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Beyond business acumen, McMahon’s legacy lies in his impact on pop culture. The term “WWE Universe” was coined under his stewardship, reflecting the global community he fostered around the sport. His dedication to entertainment transcended wrestling, spanning into film, television, and digital ventures.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 02: Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon and Triple H attend the UFC 276 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
McMahon’s opulent lifestyle mirrors his success. Lavish mansions, luxury cars, and high-end fashion are staples. He’s known for his charismatic presence, often appearing on WWE programming to interact with fans and performers, further cementing his larger-than-life persona.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – FEBRUARY 16: Vince McMahon attends a press conference to announce that WWE Wrestlemania 29 will be held at MetLife Stadium in 2013 at MetLife Stadium on February 16, 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael N. Todaro/Getty Images)
Beyond the glitz, McMahon is also a philanthropist. He established the Connor’s Cure initiative in honor of a young WWE fan, aiming to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. His contributions extend to numerous charitable causes, showcasing a more compassionate facet of his persona.
Vince McMahon’s journey from a small wrestling promotion to a global entertainment conglomerate is awe-inspiring. With a net worth of $3 billion in 2023, his tenacity, innovation, and bold decisions have reshaped the entertainment landscape. While controversies have been part of his narrative, his contributions to the worlds of sports, media, and philanthropy remain undeniable.
In conclusion, Vince McMahon’s net worth is a reflection of his visionary leadership, his knack for pushing boundaries, and his commitment to entertainment. From humble beginnings to the helm of a billion-dollar empire, his story is a reminder that with passion and determination, anything is achievable.
Remember, it’s not just about the dollars—it’s about the lasting impact and the unforgettable moments he’s etched into the hearts of fans worldwide.
Last month, WWE executive chairman Vince McMahon had his home search and was served with a subpoena to appear before a federal grand jury. This reportedly stems from an SEC investigation into a reported hush money payment McMahon made. According to the claims, McMahon paid $3 million to a departing employee with whom he had had an affair. The news comes six months after McMahon settled a lawsuit filed by a former WWE referee who accused him of raping her in 1986.
McMahon, who is currently recovering from spinal surgery, appears to remain under investigation by the federal government. However, in the regulatory filing that reported the search, the WWE stated that no charges had been brought against McMahon at this time. At this time, it is not clear if or when McMahon will testify before the grand jury.
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 04: Vince McMahon attends WWE Superstars for Sandy Relief at Cipriani, Wall Street on April 4, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for WWE)
“In 2022, WWE formed a special committee to review allegations of misconduct against me,” McMahon said in a statement. “That review was concluded in November 2022 following an extensive investigation. Throughout this experience, I have always denied any intentional wrongdoing and continue to do so. I am confident that the government’s investigation will be resolved without any findings of wrongdoing.” In a separate statement, WWE said that it has “cooperated throughout and fully understands and respects the government’s need for a complete process.”
However, despite McMahon’s declaration of innocence, the investigation has completely reshaped the company at the top of pro wrestling. During the WWE’s internal investigation, McMahon resigned as CEO and later retired. However, McMahon remained as shareholder with controlling interest and returned to the company as “executive chairman” in January 2023. This led to the WWE merging with the UFC to great the $21 billion TKO Group Holdings. Endeavor Group Holdings, which currently owns the UFC, will have a 51% controlling share. Elsewhere, McMahon vowed to reimburse the WWE for all expenses relating to the investigation. At the time of writing, he has so far paid $17.4 million.
Rumour has it that the titan of wrestling entertainment, Vince McMahon, has made more of comeback to WWE than initially expected. His return was significant away, not just for the mere fact of his re-emergence, but for what it implies about the current creative direction of the WWE.
According to an unverified report by @BlackMaskofPW (via FightFans), McMahon isn’t solely pulling the strings behind the scenes, as many outlets suggest. Instead, the account paints a picture of a more collaborative environment.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 02: Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon and Triple H attend the UFC 276 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
“Ya’ll really got to let this narrative go,” the account urged. The anonymous source further elaborated that the creative process involves multiple key players and isn’t solely McMahon’s vision. Paul Levesque, better known by his ring name Triple H, assembles the shows, while the creative team refines them, and only then does Vince add his tweaks.
The account also hinted that McMahon, despite his stature, has shown flexibility in his creative decisions. It claimed, “there are people getting pushes & tv time that Vince does not like but he allows for his son-in-law’s sake.”
LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 08: WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon speaks at a news conference announcing the WWE Network at the 2014 International CES at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on January 8, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The network will launch on February 24, 2014 as the first-ever 24/7 streaming network, offering both scheduled programs and video on demand. The USD 9.99 per month subscription will include access to all 12 live WWE pay-per-view events each year. CES, the world’s largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
These speculations have created a stir in the WWE universe, with fans and critics alike waiting for more information to verify or debunk the rumous. Previously, reputable sources like PWInsider and Fightful reported McMahon making significant changes to the RAW show, adding fuel to the speculation of his deeper involvement.
However, the narrative of McMahon’s dominant creative influence is facing some resistance online. Some argue against the idea, suggesting a less monolithic and more cooperative creative process at WWE, as depicted by the aforementioned anonymous account.
The swirling rumors around Vince McMahon and his current creative involvement in WWE have left fans, critics, and followers of the wrestling world in a state of suspense. The truth is yet to emerge, but one thing is clear: the story of WWE’s creative process is far from simple and involves a complex interplay of personalities and power dynamics. As the rumors persist, the wait for confirmation continues.
Whether the rumour of McMahon’s creative involvement stands true or not, it has certainly stirred intrigue. It’s a reminder of the wrestling industry’s inherent drama, where the storylines extend beyond the ring, captivating audiences worldwide.
Vince McMahon and the WWE made massive waves recently. McMahon sold the WWE to Endeavor for billions of dollars. Endeavor will now be the home of the biggest professional wrestling show. As well as the biggest MMA show on the planet with the UFC. The sale of the WWE was somewhat of a shock to those who follow professional wrestling. Many around the industry felt that McMahon would never sell the company. However, recent accusations of McMahon’s misconduct allegations had forced the wrestling titan to retire. But now, McMahon is being accused of bringing racist storylines into the company.
According to a report from Bloomberg Law, former WWE writer Britnet Abrahams is suing the company for racist content in past scripts. An excerpt from the report states, “World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., McMahon, and other executives allegedly discriminated and retaliated against a Black female writer for objecting to offensively racist and stereotypical jargon used in the scripts of Black wrestlers including Bianca Belair and Apollo Crews, according to a new lawsuit. She was allegedly subject to a number of racist pitches after complaining. On a Slack thread that McMahon and his daughter Stephanie McMahon were included in, other writers suggested a Black male wrestler should dress in drag. Only when a White writer noted that doing so could perpetuate harmful stereotypes that would offend viewers.”
Vince McMahon Facing Legal Issues Over Potential Racist Storylines
JUST IN: WWE & Vince McMahon Are Being Sued Over ‘Racist’ Scripts
“On another occasion, a writer allegedly proposed that a Muslim’s wrestler’s secret in a script be that he was “behind the 9/11 attacks.”
The WWE has long been known to push the boundaries of what is appropriate for television. The company’s most successful years, known as the Attitude Era, was a time when anything went for the show. Meanwhile, in a backstage segment in the early 00s, the McMahon character could be heard saying a racial slur to John Cena during a live broadcast. Included in the report is also the story of the WWE pitching a story that a Muslin superstar’s on-screen character would reveal he was being the 9/11 attacks.
The latest news can’t be exactly what the new owners of the WWE wanted to see. However, McMahon has returned to the WWE since the sale to Endeavor. In an interview discussing the sale, McMahon mentioned his return. However, the former owner claims that he will not be involved in the creative of the company as he previously was. However, the WWE has yet to comment on the report involving the company and Vince McMahon. For the latest updates on this story and other breaking news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.
Endeavor has announced the acquisition of World Wrestling Entertainment, forming a new publicly listed company consisting of both WWE and the UFC brands. In ownership, Endeavor now has 51% controlling interest in the new company, with WWE shareholders maintaining 49%.
The deal creates a $21 billion live sports and entertainment conglomerate.
“This is a rare opportunity to create a global live sports and entertainment pureplay built for where the industry is headed,” said Ariel Emanuel, CEO of Endeavor. “For decades, Vince and his team have demonstrated an incredible track record of innovation and shareholder value creation, and we are confident that Endeavor can deliver significant additional value for shareholders by bringing UFC and WWE together.”
“Given the incredible work that Ari and Endeavor have done to grow the UFC brand – nearly doubling its revenue over the past seven years – and the immense success we’ve already had in partnering with their team on a number of ventures, I believe that this is without a doubt the best outcome for our shareholders and other stakeholders,” said Vincent K. McMahon, Executive Chairman of WWE.
McMahon continued, “Together, we will be a $21+ billion live sports and entertainment powerhouse with a collective fanbase of more than a billion people and an exciting growth opportunity. The new company will be well positioned to maximize the value of our combined media rights, enhance sponsorship monetization, develop new forms of content and pursue other strategic mergers and acquisitions to further bolster our strong stable of brands. I, along with the current WWE management team, look forward to working closely with Ari and the Endeavor and UFC teams to take the businesses to the next level.”
The new company will place Emanuel as CEO and keep him in the same spot as Endeavor while also employing McMahon as Executive Charman of the Board and Mark Shapiro as President and COO of Endeavor and the new company. Dana White will continue as President of UFC, and Nike Khawn will be president of WWE.
Over the last year or so, the WWE has been through plenty of turmoil. Of course, much of this started with the ousting of Vince McMahon. The former WWE CEO had been accused of sexual misconduct by numerous former staffers. Subsequently, McMahon decided to retire from the organization and its board of directors.
However, it was recently revealed that McMahon would return to the board. This is all because the WWE has some TV negotiations on the horizon and they felt that his expertise was necessary. Interestingly enough, his return has led to a whole bunch of new developments.
Vince McMahon attends the New York Moves Magazine’s 10th Anniversary Power Women Gala at the Grand Hyatt New York on November 14, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
WWE For Sale?
According to numerous reports last night, it was revealed that McMahon’s daughter Stephanie was leaving her post as co-CEO. Immediately after this news broke, rumors surfaced that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund was going to buy the WWE. Wrestling fans were not happy, and it led to an all-out panic on social media.
Subsequently, cooler heads prevailed as the original reports were walked back. According to Ariel Helwani, a deal between the two sides has yet to be made. While the WWE is exploring the deal, people should hold on before jumping to any conclusions.
Contrary to reports stating otherwise last night, there is no deal in place at this precise moment for WWE to be sold to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund or any entity, sources say.
The organization is still exploring all options, I’m told. Developing.
There are some fans out there who believe this sale would ultimately kill the WWE. After all, AEW has been ascending as of late, and there are some wrestling fanatics who have switched allegiances. Overall, this is not good for McMahon’s company which has largely been seen as one of the biggest success stories in the United States.
If the WWE is sold to Saudi Arabia, then McMahon is most certainly in for a massive payday. Whether or not he would become the CEO again, remains to be seen. Stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news from around the sports world.
Wrestling titan Vince McMahon is under investigation by the World Wrestling Entertainment Board of Directors after revealing a secret $3 million settlement. According to the Wall Street Journal, McMahon agreed to pay an employee as she left the company. The employee allegedly had an affair with McMahon.
The employee was hired as a paralegal for McMahon in 2019. The legal agreement was created in January 2022, forbidding the former employee to discuss or talk against the WWE executive.
The investigation into McMahon and the agreement has revealed additional nondisclosure agreements involving McMahon and his friend and head of talent relations at WWE, John Laurinaitis. The initial belief is that the previous agreements included payouts in millions.
The board is represented by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in the investigation and has already discovered McMahon used personal funds to pay the employees. McMahon’s attorney is aligned with the personal funds being used, citing “WWE did not pay any monies” to the former employee.
In an email to the board, McMahon is accused of hiring the paralegal at $100,000 per year, which would double once she engaged in a sexual relationship with him. McMahon then allegedly “gave her like a toy” to Laurinaitis.
On the board of directors is McMahon, daughter Stephanie McMahon, who is currently on a leave of absence, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, and the McMahon family is believed to hold the controlling shares of the company. The full report of payouts and more in the introductory emails to the Board of Directors can be read here.
