Justice Department Requests Stay in Janel Grant’s Lawsuit Against Former WWE Boss
Janel Grant, a woman who accused former WWE boss Vince McMahon of sex trafficking and assault, has agreed to pause her lawsuit at the request of the Justice Department as federal authorities conduct their investigation into the wrestling mogul. Grant filed a bombshell lawsuit against McMahon and another executive, John Laurinaitis, in Connecticut federal court earlier this year, alleging that McMahon used her as a sex slave and defecated on her head. The pause in the lawsuit comes amid a broader federal investigation into several alleged hush money payments made by McMahon to women over several years.
5 Key Points
- Janel Grant has consented to the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York’s request to stay her case against Vince McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis.
- The stay is related to a pending non-public investigation and is valid for six months.
- McMahon and Laurinaitis have denied the allegations, and McMahon’s lawyer states that they are confident the evidence will prove Grant’s claims to be false.
- The federal investigation is focused on several alleged hush money payments made by McMahon to women over several years.
- Grant is seeking unspecified monetary damages and to have the court void a $3 million nondisclosure agreement, alleging she received only $1 million.
Cooperation with Federal Investigation
Ann Callis, an attorney for Grant, said in an emailed statement to The Post, “Ms. Grant has consented to a request by the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York to stay her case against Mr. McMahon, WWE and Mr. Laurinaitis, under a pending non-public investigation. We will cooperate with all appropriate next steps.” The stay is valid for six months, according to someone who knows the situation. Sarah Mortazavi, an assistant US attorney based in Manhattan, has joined the federal government’s investigation into McMahon, as indicated by a court filing on Thursday. The US Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
Allegations and Denials
In her lawsuit, Grant alleged that McMahon used her as a sex slave and defecated on her head, among other claims. McMahon and Laurinaitis have denied the allegations, with McMahon’s lawyer, Jessica Rosenberg, telling The Post, “We remain confident the evidence will prove Ms. Grant’s allegations are false and her complaint is nothing more than a fabricated, vindictive narrative from a disgruntled former girlfriend.” In court filings last month, McMahon alleged that Grant was a willful participant in their sexual affairs, claiming she would sneak into his penthouse apartment to get in his bed late at night before returning to her place in the same building. McMahon also alleged that Grant wrote him love letters and was planning a future together with him, claims that Grant’s representatives have denied, stating she was coerced into writing the notes.
Broader Federal Investigation and Hush Money Payments
The pause in Grant’s lawsuit comes amid a broader federal investigation into several alleged hush money payments made by McMahon to women over several years. After Grant’s lawsuit, McMahon resigned as executive chairman of WWE-parent TKO Group Holdings. McMahon employed Grant at WWE headquarters in Stamford between June 2019 and March 2022. She alleged that McMahon passed around pornographic pictures and videos of her to other men, including other WWE employees. Grant filed the lawsuit in January after McMahon allegedly failed to fork over $3 million in hush money to keep their relationship a secret.
Seeking Damages and Voiding NDA
In her lawsuit, Grant is seeking unspecified monetary damages and to have the court void a $3 million nondisclosure agreement, alleging she received only $1 million. The pause in the lawsuit, requested by the Justice Department, will allow federal authorities to conduct their investigation without interference from the ongoing civil case. As the federal probe continues, more details may emerge about the allegations against McMahon and the broader context of the hush money payments. The outcome of the federal investigation and Grant’s lawsuit could have significant implications for McMahon, WWE, and the wrestling industry.
FAQ
Q. Do you qualify for a Sex Abuse lawsuit?
A. To see if you qualify, click here.
Q. Who is Janel Grant, and what are her allegations against Vince McMahon?
A. Janel Grant is a woman who filed a lawsuit against former WWE boss Vince McMahon, alleging that he used her as a sex slave, defecated on her head, and passed around pornographic pictures and videos of her to other men, including WWE employees.
Q. Why has Janel Grant agreed to pause her lawsuit against Vince McMahon?
A. Janel Grant has agreed to pause her lawsuit at the request of the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, who is conducting a non-public investigation into Vince McMahon and alleged hush money payments made to women over several years.
Q. How have Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis responded to the allegations?
A. Both Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis have denied the allegations, with McMahon’s lawyer stating they are confident the evidence will prove Grant’s claims to be false and describing her complaint as a “fabricated, vindictive narrative from a disgruntled former girlfriend.”
Q. What is the broader federal investigation into Vince McMahon about?
A. The federal investigation is focused on several alleged hush money payments made by Vince McMahon to women for several years, which came to light following Janel Grant’s lawsuit.
Q. What is Janel Grant seeking in her lawsuit against Vince McMahon?
A. Janel Grant is seeking unspecified monetary damages and to have the court void a $3 million nondisclosure agreement, alleging she received only $1 million.
Citations:
Zilber, A. (2024, May 30). Vince McMahon accuser Janel Grant pauses sex trafficking lawsuit amid federal probe. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2024/05/30/business/vince-mcmahon-accuser-janel-grant-pauses-sex-trafficking-lawsuit-as-feds-launch-probe/
