Ex-WWE worker suing Vince McMahon pauses lawsuit for DOJ probe
- WWE founder Vince McMahon is accused of sex trafficking
- Accuser says federal prosecutors requested she hold her case
- Federal authorities investigating McMahon
(NewsNation) — A former employee who sued World Wrestling Entertainment founder Vince McMahon for alleged sex trafficking and abuse will temporarily pause her case pending a federal investigation.
Janel Grant filed suit against McMahon in January but agreed to “stay her case” at the request of federal prosecutors, her lawyer said, according to NBC News.
Grant’s attorney told the outlet in a statement that she has agreed to hold legal action at the request of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York “pending a non-public investigation.”
“We will cooperate with all appropriate next steps,” Ann Callis, a lawyer for Grant, said in a statement to the outlet.
In Grant’s lawsuit, she said McMahon sexually exploited her and attempted to traffic her to other WWE employees. She said McMahon 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.
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.