Former WWE executive reaches agreement in sexual abuse case
A former WWE executive, involved in a lawsuit over sexual abuse allegations filed by a former employee, has reached a confidential settlement. This agreement implies that the executive will collaborate with the plaintiff in her litigation against the company and former leader Vince McMahon, according to representatives and lawyers on Wednesday. John Laurinaitis, former WWE head of talent relations and known in the ring as Johnny Ace, will lend his support to Janel Grant in her lawsuit against McMahon and the wrestling entertainment company. Grant’s representatives and Laurinaitis’s lawyer, Edward Brennan, confirmed the confidentiality and cooperation agreement, indicating that Laurinaitis possesses “evidence” against McMahon and the company, although they did not specify its nature.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. Jessica Rosenberg, McMahon’s lawyer, issued a statement in response.“Their confidentiality 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,” Grant and Laurinaitis’ representatives stated in a joint statement. “Mr. Laurinaitis looks forward to moving on with his life. We cannot provide additional details at this time.”
Grant and Laurinaitis’ Representatives
Rosenberg added that a lawyer for Laurinaitis had previously called the allegations in the lawsuit 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 perform sexual acts 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 sexual text messages that McMahon allegedly sent to Grant. McMahon, former WWE CEO and chairman, has denied Grant’s allegations. Previously, he stated that the lawsuit is “rife with lies, fabricated obscene instances that never occurred, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth. I intend to vigorously defend myself against these unfounded accusations and look forward to clearing my name.” His lawyers indicated in court documents that he maintained a consensual relationship with Grant and never mistreated her. Grant began working for WWE in 2019 as an entry-level employee in its legal department, a job managed by McMahon, and was then transferred to the talent relations department, where Laurinaitis was her boss. She has stated that she was pressured to leave her job at WWE and sign a $3 million non-disclosure agreement.“The dismissal of John Laurinaitis as a defendant does not alter the facts of the case. Vince McMahon never mistreated Janel Grant,” Rosenberg stated. “No matter how many press releases his team issues, the truth does not change.”
Jessica Rosenberg, McMahon’s lawyer
