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Vince McMahon says Netflix doc about him is misleading

  • WWE founder Vince McMahon is accused of sex trafficking
  • McMahon stepped down from his position within WWE parent
  • Federal authorities investigating McMahon

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This article mentions sexual assault. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673.

(NewsNation) — Netflix is releasing a six-part docuseries titled “Mister McMahon,” which explores Vince McMahon’s complex legacy amid a lawsuit from former WWE staffer Janel Grant, who accuses him of abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking.

The suit is currently on hold during a federal investigation. The docuseries features interviews with McMahon and other wrestling figures conducted before the lawsuit.

McMahon criticized the project for conflating his character with his true self, while Grant’s attorney described his actions as abusive and criminal.

Grant did not participate in the docuseries because she wanted to “tell her full story,” her lawyers previously said.

“Janel has the right to tell her story in her own way, at the right time,” Ann Callis, a lawyer representing Janel Grant, said at a news conference explaining why her client was not a part of the series. 

“While Janel didn’t participate in the Netflix docuseries, we hope it shines a light on the abhorrent actions of McMahon, frequently on WWE property, and it portrays the realities of his abusive and exploitative behavior.”

Grant filed suit against McMahon, alleging he sexually exploited her and attempted to traffic her to other WWE employees.

The former employee filed her civil suit in January but agreed to temporarily “stay her case” in May at the request of the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York “pending a non-public investigation,” Callis said in a statement at the time.

Callis is calling upon federal prosecutors to expedite any forthcoming charges so that Grant’s civil case can resume “as quickly as possible” and she can “get her day in court to hold McMahon accountable.” 

Prosecutors had asked for a six-month stay that will end in December, she said. 

The lawyer likened Grant to victims of Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was indicted in federal court this week for three felony counts, including sex trafficking, saying her client was trafficked by McMahon.  

Grant said McMahon allegedly abused her and that she was allegedly forced to have sex with WWE’s former head of talent relations, John Laurinaitis — all while working for the company, in her suit.

At the time of the filing, McMahon resigned as executive chairman of WWE parent TKO Group.

The lawsuit names the company, McMahon and Laurinaitis as defendants.

McMahon has denied the allegations. 

“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,” McMahon’s attorney has said. 

Federal authorities are currently investigating sexual assault and sexual trafficking allegations against McMahon.

The investigation stems from sexual misconduct accusations against McMahon by a number of women.

Callis said Grant continues to recover from the trauma of abuse. 

“Because of the extreme cruelty, degradation, exploitation and violence she was subjected to on a near daily basis for more than two years, she now suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal ideation and the inability to leave her home for weeks at a time,” the lawyer said.

NewsNation’s Safia Samee Ali contributed to this report.

Banfield

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