Just over 24 hours after a former WWE staff member filed a lawsuit against him for sexual abuse and exploitation, Vince McMahon has officially resigned from WWE and UFC parent company TKO Group Holdings.
The former WWE employee, identified as Janel Grant, filed a lawsuit on Thursday, January 25 in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut naming McMahon, WWE and former head of talent relations John Laurinaitis as accused.
In the lawsuit, Grant claimed that McMahon, Laurinaitis and WWE violated the Trafficking Victims Prevention Act by allegedly trafficking her to other men “as a pawn to secure talent deals” with potential wrestlers. He also made allegations of civil battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress in connection with the years of sexual and emotional abuse he suffered while working in WWE.
Speaking to Deadline, Vince McMahon defended himself against Grant’s accusations. “I stand by my previous statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is filled with lies, made-up obscene cases that never happened,” he said. McMahon also described the lawsuit as a vindictive distortion of the truth.
“I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless allegations,” McMahon continued. “And I hope to clear my name.”
However, Vince McMahon quickly addressed why he decided to leave TKO Group Holdings. “Out of respect for the WWE Universe, TKO’s extraordinary business, its board members, shareholders, partners and constituents, and all the employees and superstars who helped make WWE the global leader it is today, I have decided to resign. . of my executive chairmanship and the board of directors of TKO, effective immediately.”
WWE Chairman Nick Khan reportedly told staff in an internal email that Vince McMahon had resigned. He also said that McMahon “will no longer have any role in TKO Group Holdings or WWE.”
The legal team of Vince McMahon’s alleged victim speaks out
Along with Vince McMahon’s statement defending himself, the legal team behind Grant also issued a statement regarding the lawsuit.
Released after the filing, the statement from Ann Callis of Holland Law Firm reads: “Today’s lawsuit seeks to hold accountable two WWE executives who sexually assaulted and trafficked plaintiff Janel Grant. As well as the organization that facilitated or turned a blind eye to the abuse and then swept it under the rug.”
Callis describes Grant as an incredibly private and brave person. The attorney points out that Grant has suffered deeply at the hands of both McMahon and Laurinaitis. “EM. Grant hopes his lawsuit will prevent other women from being victimized.”
“The organization is well aware of Mr. McMahon’s history of depraved behavior,” Callis said. “And it is time for them to take responsibility for the misconduct of their leaders.”
While suing for an undisclosed amount of monetary damages, Grant is also seeking a declaratory judgment that a confidentiality agreement he signed while working for WWE is void and enforceable. This will allow him to speak freely against McMahon and Laurinaitis.
Meanwhile, Laurinaitis has not issued any statement regarding the lawsuit.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn