Vince McMahon, the former WWE executive, responded to accusations of sex trafficking and sexual harassment made by his former employee Janel Grant by denying all allegations and claiming that she willingly engaged in a sexual relationship with him for three years. McMahon alleged that Grant would sneak into his penthouse apartment in Stamford, Connecticut, to pursue their affair and then return to her fiancé’s condo in the same building. He also accused Grant of lying about aspects of her life story, including her caregiving responsibilities and financial struggles.
Grant’s lawyer, Ann Callis, disputed McMahon’s claims, stating that Grant and her fiancé had called off their engagement, and McMahon allowed her to stay in the apartment while she rebuilt her life. In response to McMahon’s allegations, Grant’s lawyer claimed that Grant had been caring for her dying father until his final days and had been providing round-the-clock care for her blind, wheelchair-bound mother before her death in 2017. Callis accused McMahon of twisting the narrative to suit himself and called his actions “disgusting.”
Grant, who was employed by McMahon at WWE headquarters from June 2019 to March 2022, sued to invalidate a nondisclosure agreement in which she made the allegations against McMahon. Despite receiving $1 million of a $3 million payout, McMahon withheld the next installment after Grant filed her lawsuit. The lawsuit included allegations that McMahon defecated on Grant’s head during a threesome, used sex toys named after wrestlers on her, and directed her to have sex with other executives and a wrestling star.
John Laurinaitis, WWE’s former head of talent relations and general manager, was also implicated in the lawsuit. Laurinaitis has denied all allegations made against him and claimed to be a victim in the matter. In response to the accusations, McMahon’s attorneys presented a love letter allegedly written by Grant to McMahon, which Grant’s lawyer claimed was coerced by McMahon. The letter, dated December 24, 2021, expressed Grant’s deep affection for McMahon and her belief that her life wasn’t real without him.
The letter was obtained from Grant’s laptop by a law firm hired by WWE’s board to investigate the claims against McMahon, who is under federal investigation for allegations of sexual assault and trafficking. McMahon has denied all allegations against him. Grant’s lawyer accused McMahon of psychological torture and intimidation tactics, claiming that the letter was part of McMahon’s attempt to defend his behavior. McMahon’s attorney denied that he coerced Grant into writing the letter and stated that it was written voluntarily by Grant.
Overall, the legal battle between McMahon and Grant centers on allegations of sexual harassment, sex trafficking, and coercion. McMahon has refuted all allegations made against him and accused Grant of willingly engaging in a sexual relationship with him. Grant’s lawyer has criticized McMahon’s responses as attempts to twist the narrative and intimidate Grant. The lawsuit has also implicated other individuals in WWE, such as John Laurinaitis, who have denied all allegations. The case is ongoing, with McMahon facing federal investigation over the allegations.
