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Ann Callis, the attorney representing Janel Grant issued the following statement to PWInsder.com:
“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. We will cooperate with all appropriate next steps.”
***
One has to think this means that the government's investigation into McMahon is still active and possibly moving forward on a criminal level.
In February 2023, The Wall Street Journal reported that McMahon was under federal investigation in relation to the allegations made by Janel Grant against him in regard to alleged sexual assault and sex trafficking. Prosecutors in New York had been in contact with alleged victims according to the outlet.
McMahon issued a statement to the WSJ, commenting at the time, "I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations, and look forward to clearing my name.”
The WSJ report noted:
"The grand jury subpoena, described to The Wall Street Journal, offers the first window into the investigation, which began in 2022. The Journal reported in 2022 that McMahon had made payouts to several women who accused him of sexual misconduct while he was CEO and that prosecutors were investigating the payouts. The subpoena also sought communications between McMahon and these women, including Grant."
The WSJ report noted other women named in the grand jury subpoena include:
*A WWE contractor whom McMahon allegedly sent unsolicited nude photos and sexually harassed.
*A former WWE wrestler who said McMahon coerced her into giving him oral sex.
*Former WWE referee Rita Chatterton, who publicly accused McMahon of raping he.
*A spa manager who said McMahon assaulted her at a Southern California resort
*A former WWE employee who alleged the head of talent relations at the company at the time, John Laurinaitis, demoted her after she broke off an affair with him.
The investigation is a continuation of one publicly acknowledged by WWE in August 2023, four months after Endeavor purchased the company as their quarterly earnings report noted:
As previously disclosed on June 17, 2022, a Special Committee of the Board of Directors was formed on June 15, 2022 to investigate allegations of misconduct by Vince McMahon. As previously disclosed, the Special Committee investigation was completed during the fourth quarter of 2022. However, related government investigations remain ongoing.
On July 17, 2023, federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant and served a federal grand jury subpoena on Mr. McMahon. No charges have been brought in these investigations.
The Company has received voluntary and compulsory legal demands for documents, including from federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies, concerning the investigation and related subject matters.
Fully consistent with prior expectations, the Company and Endeavor expect their transaction to be closed in the second half of 2023.
Additional information with respect to this item may be found in Note 18, Commitments and Contingencies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
To date, McMahon has not been charged.
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