Latest news with #JohnLaurinaitis
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Vince McMahon's co-defendant agrees secret deal to flip on former WWE boss amid sex trafficking lawsuit
A former WWE executive accused of sex trafficking in a bombshell lawsuit involving Vince McMahon reached a confidential settlement — and will now snitch on the pro wrestling mogul, according to lawyers in the bombshell case. John Laurinaitis, WWE's former head of talent relations, was a co-defendant in a lawsuit filed by ex-WWE employee Janel Grant that alleges he and McMahon subjected her to years of sexual abuse and coercion, the New York Post reports. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. The stunning about-face was revealed Wednesday in a joint statement issued by representatives for Laurinaitis and Grant. 'John Laurinaitis has agreed to co-operate and provide evidence in Janel Grant's lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE,' the statement said. 'His agreement to a confidential settlement is a pivotal next step toward holding McMahon and WWE accountable and bringing justice to Ms. Grant after years of sexual abuse and trafficking.' 'Mr Laurinaitis looks forward to moving on with his life,' the statement added. Grant's civil lawsuit, filed in January 2024 in federal court in Connecticut, contains graphic allegations against both McMahon and Laurinaitis, accusing them of grooming, coercing, and sexually abusing her during her time as a paralegal at WWE. The complaint claims McMahon forced Grant to perform sex acts 'on demand,' to send him nude photographs daily, and to engage in non-consensual sexual encounters — some allegedly orchestrated to benefit WWE business negotiations. Grant also alleges she was 'passed' to Laurinaitis and that he engaged in similar abuse. The agreement with Laurinaitis voluntarily dismisses her claims against him 'with prejudice' — meaning the claims cannot be refiled — and likely signals that a confidential settlement was reached, according to former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani. '[This is] potentially bad news for McMahon,' the legal analyst told The Post. 'What you want to do in any type of case is co-operate your less culpable defendant against your main target. You want people to testify against your main defendant — whether it's Sean 'Diddy' Combs or, in this case, Vince McMahon.' However, Rahmani noted that it remains unclear what Laurinaitis knows or is prepared to share. 'It's really tough to know until a case proceeds to trial or there's some filing that references co-operation in the statement,' he said. McMahon — who built the WWE into a multi-billion dollar business before selling it to UFC parent company Endeavor Group Holdings in 2023 — stepped down from overseeing day-to-day operations shortly after the lawsuit was filed. Endeavor merged UFC and WWE into the publicly traded company TKO Group Holdings. Jessica Rosenberg, attorney for Vince McMahon, said in a statement: 'Today's dismissal of John Laurinaitis as a defendant doesn't alter the facts of this case in any way. Vince McMahon never mistreated Janel Grant. No matter how many press releases her team issues, the truth remains unchanged. As Mr. Laurinaitis's lawyer previously said: 'Mr. Laurinaitis corroborates Mr. McMahon in publicly declaring that Ms. Grant's allegations of sexual abuse and coercion in her Complaint are completely unfounded.'' The Post reached out to WWE and TKO for comment. McMahon has previously denied all allegations, with a spokesperson calling the suit 'replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth.' TKO had said the allegations predate its current executive leadership and that it is reviewing the matter internally. In the lawsuit, Grant also challenges the validity of a nondisclosure agreement she signed in 2022, under which McMahon agreed to pay her $1 million ($1.56m AUD) upfront and $500,000 ($780,000 AUD) annually through 2026. She claims McMahon ceased payments and argues the NDA is unenforceable under the federal Speak Out Act. The civil case poses a serious threat to McMahon's legacy and financial empire, as WWE continues to finalise media deals and expands its global reach under TKO.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Ex-WWE executive agrees to help accuser in sex abuse lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE
A former WWE executive who had been fighting sexual abuse allegations in a lawsuit by an ex-employee has agreed to a confidential settlement and will now help the accuser as she continues suing the company and former leader Vince McMahon, representatives and lawyers said Wednesday. John Laurinaitis, WWE's former head of talent relations — who once wrestled under the name Johnny Ace — will aid Janel Grant in her lawsuit against McMahon and the worldwide wrestling entertainment conglomerate. Representatives for Grant and Laurinaitis lawyer Edward Brennan confirmed the settlement-cooperation deal and said Laurinaitis has 'evidence' against McMahon and the company, but wouldn't say what it was. 'His agreement to a confidential settlement is a pivotal next step toward holding McMahon and WWE accountable and bringing justice to Ms. Grant after years of sexual abuse and trafficking,' representatives for Grant and Laurinaitis said in a joint statement. 'Mr. Laurinaitis looks forward to moving on with his life. We cannot provide any additional details at this time.' A court document filed Wednesday says Grant and Laurinaitis agreed to a dismissal of the lawsuit's claims against Laurinaitis, but allegations against the WWE and McMahon remain. McMahon's lawyer, Jessica Rosenberg, issued a statement in response. 'Today's dismissal of John Laurinaitis as a defendant doesn't alter the facts of this case in any way. Vince McMahon never mistreated Janel Grant,' Rosenberg said. 'No matter how many press releases her team issues, the truth remains unchanged.' Rosenberg added that a lawyer for Laurinaitis previously said the lawsuit's allegations were unfounded. Representatives for the WWE did not immediately return emails seeking comment Wednesday. Grant sued the WWE, McMahon and Laurinaitis last year in federal court in Connecticut, where the WWE is based in Stamford. In graphic detail, she alleges McMahon coerced her into sex acts with him, Laurinaitis and others, and she claims both men sexually assaulted her. She says she was made to do humiliating acts during the encounters. The lawsuit also includes photos of sexual texts it says McMahon sent Grant. McMahon, former CEO and chairman of WWE, has denied Grant's allegations. He has previously said the 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.' His lawyers said in court documents that he had a consensual relationship with Grant and never mistreated her. Grant first started working for the WWE in 2019 as an entry-level employee in its legal department, a job arranged by McMahon, and later transferred to the talent relations department, where Laurinaitis was her boss. Grant has said she was eventually pressured into leaving her job with the WWE and signing a $3 million nondisclosure agreement. The lawsuit also seeks to have the agreement declared invalid, saying McMahon breached the deal by giving her $1 million and failing to pay the rest. Currently pending in the lawsuit are motions by McMahon, the WWE and Laurinaitis to move all the claims to arbitration. They said the lawsuit should not be allowed because Grant agreed to settle any disputes in arbitration as part of her nondisclosure agreement. McMahon resigned from WWE's parent company in January 2024 after Grant filed her lawsuit. At the time, McMahon stepped down from his position as executive chair of the board of directors at WWE's parent company, TKO Group Holdings. McMahon also resigned as WWE's CEO in 2022 amid a company investigation into allegations that match those in Grant's lawsuit. McMahon bought what was then the World Wrestling Federation in 1982 and transformed it from a regional wrestling company into a worldwide phenomenon. Besides running the company with his wife, Linda, who is now the U.S. education secretary, he also performed at WWE events as himself. Dave Collins, The Associated Press
The Independent
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Ex-WWE executive agrees to help accuser in sex abuse lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE
A former WWE executive who had been fighting sexual abuse allegations in a lawsuit by an ex-employee has agreed to a confidential settlement and will now help the accuser as she continues suing the company and former leader Vince McMahon, representatives and lawyers said Wednesday. John Laurinaitis, WWE's former head of talent relations — who once wrestled under the name Johnny Ace — will aid Janel Grant in her lawsuit against McMahon and the worldwide wrestling entertainment conglomerate. Representatives for Grant and Laurinaitis lawyer Edward Brennan confirmed the settlement-cooperation deal and said Laurinaitis has 'evidence' against McMahon and the company, but wouldn't say what it was. 'His agreement to a confidential settlement is a pivotal next step toward holding McMahon and WWE accountable and bringing justice to Ms. Grant after years of sexual abuse and trafficking,' representatives for Grant and Laurinaitis said in a joint statement. "Mr. Laurinaitis looks forward to moving on with his life. We cannot provide any additional details at this time.' A court document filed Wednesday says Grant and Laurinaitis agreed to a dismissal of the lawsuit's claims against Laurinaitis, but allegations against the WWE and McMahon remain. McMahon's lawyer, Jessica Rosenberg, issued a statement in response. 'Today's dismissal of John Laurinaitis as a defendant doesn't alter the facts of this case in any way. Vince McMahon never mistreated Janel Grant," Rosenberg said. 'No matter how many press releases her team issues, the truth remains unchanged.' Rosenberg added that a lawyer for Laurinaitis previously said the lawsuit's allegations were unfounded. Representatives for the WWE did not immediately return emails seeking comment Wednesday. Grant sued the WWE, McMahon and Laurinaitis last year in federal court in Connecticut, where the WWE is based in Stamford. In graphic detail, she alleges McMahon coerced her into sex acts with him, Laurinaitis and others, and she claims both men sexually assaulted her. She says she was made to do humiliating acts during the encounters. The lawsuit also includes photos of sexual texts it says McMahon sent Grant. McMahon, former CEO and chairman of WWE, has denied Grant's allegations. He has previously said the 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.' His lawyers said in court documents that he had a consensual relationship with Grant and never mistreated her. Grant first started working for the WWE in 2019 as an entry-level employee in its legal department, a job arranged by McMahon, and later transferred to the talent relations department, where Laurinaitis was her boss. Grant has said she was eventually pressured into leaving her job with the WWE and signing a $3 million nondisclosure agreement. The lawsuit also seeks to have the agreement declared invalid, saying McMahon breached the deal by giving her $1 million and failing to pay the rest. Currently pending in the lawsuit are motions by McMahon, the WWE and Laurinaitis to move all the claims to arbitration. They said the lawsuit should not be allowed because Grant agreed to settle any disputes in arbitration as part of her nondisclosure agreement. McMahon resigned from WWE's parent company in January 2024 after Grant filed her lawsuit. At the time, McMahon stepped down from his position as executive chair of the board of directors at WWE's parent company, TKO Group Holdings. McMahon also resigned as WWE's CEO in 2022 amid a company investigation into allegations that match those in Grant's lawsuit. McMahon bought what was then the World Wrestling Federation in 1982 and transformed it from a regional wrestling company into a worldwide phenomenon. Besides running the company with his wife, Linda, who is now the U.S. education secretary, he also performed at WWE events as himself.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Ex-WWE executive agrees to help accuser in sex abuse lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE
A former WWE executive who had been fighting sexual abuse allegations in a lawsuit by an ex-employee has agreed to a confidential settlement and will now help the accuser as she continues suing the company and former leader Vince McMahon , representatives and lawyers said Wednesday. John Laurinaitis, WWE's former head of talent relations — who once wrestled under the name Johnny Ace — will aid Janel Grant in her lawsuit against McMahon and the worldwide wrestling entertainment conglomerate. Representatives for Grant and Laurinaitis lawyer Edward Brennan confirmed the settlement-cooperation deal and said Laurinaitis has 'evidence' against McMahon and the company, but wouldn't say what it was. 'His agreement to a confidential settlement is a pivotal next step toward holding McMahon and WWE accountable and bringing justice to Ms. Grant after years of sexual abuse and trafficking,' representatives for Grant and Laurinaitis said in a joint statement. 'Mr. Laurinaitis looks forward to moving on with his life. We cannot provide any additional details at this time.' A court document filed Wednesday says Grant and Laurinaitis agreed to a dismissal of the lawsuit's claims against Laurinaitis, but allegations against the WWE and McMahon remain. McMahon's lawyer, Jessica Rosenberg, issued a statement in response. 'Today's dismissal of John Laurinaitis as a defendant doesn't alter the facts of this case in any way. Vince McMahon never mistreated Janel Grant,' Rosenberg said. 'No matter how many press releases her team issues, the truth remains unchanged.' Rosenberg added that a lawyer for Laurinaitis previously said the lawsuit's allegations were unfounded. Representatives for the WWE did not immediately return emails seeking comment Wednesday. Grant sued the WWE, McMahon and Laurinaitis last year in federal court in Connecticut, where the WWE is based in Stamford. In graphic detail, she alleges McMahon coerced her into sex acts with him, Laurinaitis and others, and she claims both men sexually assaulted her. She says she was made to do humiliating acts during the encounters. The lawsuit also includes photos of sexual texts it says McMahon sent Grant. McMahon, former CEO and chairman of WWE, has denied Grant's allegations. He has previously said the 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.' His lawyers said in court documents that he had a consensual relationship with Grant and never mistreated her. Grant first started working for the WWE in 2019 as an entry-level employee in its legal department, a job arranged by McMahon, and later transferred to the talent relations department, where Laurinaitis was her boss. Grant has said she was eventually pressured into leaving her job with the WWE and signing a $3 million nondisclosure agreement. The lawsuit also seeks to have the agreement declared invalid, saying McMahon breached the deal by giving her $1 million and failing to pay the rest. Currently pending in the lawsuit are motions by McMahon, the WWE and Laurinaitis to move all the claims to arbitration. They said the lawsuit should not be allowed because Grant agreed to settle any disputes in arbitration as part of her nondisclosure agreement. McMahon resigned from WWE's parent company in January 2024 after Grant filed her lawsuit. At the time, McMahon stepped down from his position as executive chair of the board of directors at WWE's parent company, TKO Group Holdings. McMahon also resigned as WWE's CEO in 2022 amid a company investigation into allegations that match those in Grant's lawsuit. McMahon bought what was then the World Wrestling Federation in 1982 and transformed it from a regional wrestling company into a worldwide phenomenon. Besides running the company with his wife, Linda, who is now the U.S. education secretary, he also performed at WWE events as himself.
National Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- National Post
Co-defendant in Vince McMahon sex trafficking lawsuit makes deal to help accuser
Article content Article content John Laurinaitis, a former WWE executive who had been named as a co-defendant in the sexual abuse and sex trafficking lawsuit against the pro wrestling mogul, reportedly has reached an agreement to help the accuser. Article content Laurinaitis has agreed to cooperate with and give evidence after reaching a confidential settlement with Janel Grant, according to a statement issued by their representatives on Wednesday. Article content According to CNBC, a filing in U.S. District Court in Connecticut shows that lawyers for Grant and Laurinaitis agreed to dismiss the lawsuit as it applies to the former wrestler and that it will be done so with prejudice, which means that it cannot be refiled. Article content 'John Laurinaitis has agreed to cooperate and provide evidence in Janel Grant's lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE,' the reps said in the statement obtained by NBC News. Article content 'His agreement to a confidential settlement is a pivotal next step toward holding McMahon and WWE accountable and bringing justice to Ms. Grant after years of sexual abuse and trafficking,' the reps added. Article content 'Mr. Laurinaitis looks forward to moving on with his life. We cannot provide any additional details at this time.' Article content The settlement between Laurinaitis and Grant comes three weeks after she filed an amended civil complaint against him, McMahon, and WWE. Article content In the original complaint, Grant accused McMahon of soliciting sex in exchange for giving her a job at WWE and of abusing her during their physical relationship. Article content In an amended version of the complaint filed in January, it is alleged that WWE superstar Brock Lesnar is the employee of the company previously referred to anonymously as 'WWE Superstar,' and also alleges that McMahon offered Grant to Lesnar for a sexual encounter during contract negotiations. Article content Article content The amendment also claims that the WWE founder instructed Grant to send sexually explicit content to Lesnar, who is also a former UFC star. Article content McMahon allegedly informed Grant that Lesnar would be their next 'playmate' and directed her to 'create personalized sexual content' for the wrestler. Article content The suit also claims that in 2021, 'McMahon flew and/or caused Lesnar to fly on a jet into a local airport and travel into Connecticut (across state lines) for what McMahon described to Ms. Grant as a 'business dinner,' as well as a sexual encounter with Ms. Grant in McMahon's condo.'
