Confidential Agreement in Case of Sexual Abuse in WWE
A former WWE executive, facing accusations of sexual abuse in a lawsuit filed by a former employee, has reached a confidential settlement. This agreement implies that the executive will now assist the plaintiff in her litigation against the company and former leader Vince McMahon, according to representatives and lawyers who reported on Wednesday. John Laurinaitis, former WWE head of talent relations and known as Johnny Ace in the ring, will collaborate with Janel Grant in her lawsuit against McMahon and the wrestling entertainment company. Representatives for Grant and Laurinaitis’ lawyer, Edward Brennan, confirmed the settlement and cooperation agreement, indicating that Laurinaitis possesses “evidence” against McMahon and the company, although they did not specify the nature of this evidence.A court document filed on Wednesday indicates that Grant and Laurinaitis agreed to dismiss the claims in the lawsuit against Laurinaitis, but the allegations against WWE and McMahon remain in effect. Jessica Rosenberg, an attorney for McMahon, issued a statement in response.Their confidential settlement agreement is a crucial step in holding McMahon and WWE accountable, and in bringing justice to Ms. Grant after years of sexual abuse and trafficking.
Joint statement from Grant and Laurinaitis’ representatives
Rosenberg also added that a lawyer for Laurinaitis previously stated that the lawsuit’s allegations were unfounded. WWE representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday. Grant sued WWE, McMahon, and Laurinaitis last year in a federal court in Connecticut, where the company is headquartered in Stamford. In explicit detail, she alleges that McMahon forced her to have sexual relations with him, Laurinaitis, and others, and claims that both men sexually assaulted her. According to Grant, she was forced to perform humiliating acts during the encounters. The lawsuit also includes photos of text messages of a sexual nature that McMahon allegedly sent to Grant. McMahon, former WWE CEO and chairman, has denied Grant’s accusations. He previously stated that the lawsuit is “rife with lies, fabricated obscene instances that never occurred, and is a vengeful distortion of the truth. I intend to vigorously defend myself against these unfounded accusations and look forward to clearing my name.” His lawyers argued in court documents that he maintained a consensual relationship with Grant and that he never mistreated her. Grant began working for WWE in 2019 as an entry-level employee in its legal department, a position that was managed by McMahon, and was then transferred to the talent relations department, where Laurinaitis was her boss. She has stated that, over time, she was pressured to leave her job at WWE and sign a $3 million non-disclosure agreement. The lawsuit seeks to have the agreement declared invalid, alleging that McMahon breached the agreement by giving her $1 million and not paying the rest. Currently, pending in the lawsuit are motions by McMahon, WWE, and Laurinaitis to move all claims to arbitration. They argued that the lawsuit should not be allowed because Grant agreed to resolve any disputes in arbitration as part of his confidentiality agreement. McMahon resigned from WWE’s parent company in January 2024 after Grant filed his lawsuit. At that time, McMahon left his position as executive chairman of the board of directors of TKO Group Holdings, WWE’s parent company. He also resigned as WWE CEO in 2022 amid a company investigation into allegations similar to those in Grant’s lawsuit.The dismissal of John Laurinaitis as a defendant does not alter the facts of this case in any way. Vince McMahon never mistreated Janel Grant. No matter how many press releases his team issues, the truth remains the same.
Jessica Rosenberg, McMahon’s lawyer
