The woman who is currently suing ex-WWE boss Vince McMahon is pausing her lawsuit at the request of the Justice Department, according to the woman’s lawyer.
Janel Grant, the former WWE employee who sued McMahon, the company and former WWE executive John Laurinaitis in January, agreed to pause her lawsuit.
“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,” Ann Callis, a lawyer for Grant, said in a statement to ABC News. “We will cooperate with all appropriate next steps.”
Former 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 Jan. 8, 2014 in Las Vegas.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images, FILE
ABC News previously reported that McMahon was the subject of a federal investigation.
The investigation stems from sexual misconduct accusations against McMahon by a number of women.
“Sometime in the summer,” McMahon received a grand jury subpoena, the sources said, referring to summer of 2023.
A Justice Department lawyer who works in the Southern District of New York filed four items under seal in the civil case against McMahon brought by Grant. It is unclear what those items say.
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McMahon, 78, announced in January, shortly after the lawsuit was filed, that he would step away from his role as TKO executive chairman and leave his spot on the TKO Board of Directors. TKO Group Holdings was formed when World Wrestling Entertainment merged with Endeavor’s Ultimate Fighting Championship in April 2023.
At the time he stepped down, he said in a statement, “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 led the WWE for decades, taking over the wrestling organization in 1982 from his father, Vincent J. McMahon, and building it from a northeast regional promotion into a global company.
The ongoing legal battle between Vince McMahon, the chairman and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and his accuser has taken a surprising turn as the accuser has agreed to halt the lawsuit at the request of the Justice Department. This development comes after months of intense scrutiny and public attention on the allegations made against McMahon.
The accuser, who remains unnamed in court documents, had accused McMahon of sexual assault and harassment dating back several years. The lawsuit alleged that McMahon had used his position of power within the wrestling industry to coerce the accuser into unwanted sexual encounters. The accusations sent shockwaves through the wrestling community and prompted a wave of support for the accuser.
However, the Justice Department’s intervention in the case has raised questions about the validity of the accuser’s claims. In a statement released to the press, a spokesperson for the Justice Department explained that they had conducted a thorough investigation into the matter and found no evidence to support the allegations against McMahon. As a result, they requested that the accuser halt the lawsuit in order to prevent further harm to McMahon’s reputation.
The decision to halt the lawsuit has sparked a mixed reaction from the public. Some believe that the accuser’s claims were baseless and intended to tarnish McMahon’s reputation, while others feel that the Justice Department’s intervention is an attempt to protect a powerful figure in the entertainment industry. Regardless of one’s opinion on the matter, it is clear that this case has brought to light the complexities of navigating allegations of sexual misconduct in a high-profile setting.
For McMahon, this development comes as a relief after months of legal battles and public scrutiny. The WWE chairman has vehemently denied the accusations made against him and has maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal. With the lawsuit now halted, McMahon can focus on rebuilding his reputation and moving forward with his career in the wrestling industry.
As for the accuser, their decision to halt the lawsuit raises questions about their motivations and credibility. While it is unclear what prompted the Justice Department’s intervention in the case, it is clear that this development has brought an unexpected end to a highly publicized legal battle.
In conclusion, the decision to halt the lawsuit against Vince McMahon at the request of the Justice Department marks a significant turning point in this ongoing legal saga. While the details surrounding this case remain murky, one thing is certain: allegations of sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry continue to be a complex and contentious issue that requires careful consideration and scrutiny.
