Former WWE employee Janel Grant has agreed to put her lawsuit against Vince McMahon on hold at the request of the US Justice Department, which is conducting its own investigation.
Janel, who previously worked in WWE’s legal and talent relations departments, filed a lawsuit in federal court in Connecticut in January, accusing McMahon and another executive, John Laurinaitis, of $exual abuse. McMahon, who has denied the allegations, stepped down from his role as chairman of WWE’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings Inc., following the filing of the suit.
“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, pursuant to a pending non-public investigation,” Ann Callis, Grant’s attorney, stated in an email on Thursday. “We will cooperate with all appropriate next steps.”
The stay of the lawsuit is set for six months, according to an anonymous source familiar with the case who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the terms.
A spokesperson for the US Attorney’s office declined to comment on the matter.
The United States government has submitted documents in the case of Janel Grant vs. Vince McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis, indicating its role as an “interested party” in the lawsuit. The filing states:
“To the Clerk of this Court and all parties of record:
In addition to counsel already of record, please enter my appearance as counsel for the United States of America, Sarah Mortazavi, Assistant United States Attorney.
Respectfully submitted,
Damian Williams
United States Attorney /s/ Sarah Mortazavi
Assistant United States Attorney
United States Attorney’s Office
Southern District of New York
26 Federal Plaza
New York, New York 10278”
The involvement of the United States in the case has significant implications, all of which are likely unfavorable for Vince McMahon.
McMahon’s attorney Jessica Rosenberg issued the following statement about this:
“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.”
