Former WWE employee agrees to pause sexual abuse lawsuit against Vince McMahon amidst federal investigation

Janel Grant, a former employee of World Wrestling Entertainment, accused founder Vince McMahon of sex trafficking and abuse in a lawsuit. She agreed to pause her case while a federal investigation takes place. Grant's lawyer said she agreed to this pause at the request of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. The attorney mentioned that they will cooperate with the investigation. The lawsuit filed by Grant in January claimed that she experienced physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, and trafficking at WWE. The lawsuit named McMahon, former WWE executive John Laurinaitis, and the company as defendants. McMahon's attorney denied the allegations, calling them false and part of a fabricated story. The Southern District of New York has not commented on the case. McMahon resigned as executive chairman of WWE's parent company following Grant's accusations. The investigation into McMahon began in 2022 when the WWE board looked into hush money payments he made to women who accused him of sexual assault. Grant's lawsuit against McMahon is one of several misconduct allegations against him since the 1990s. McMahon has denied all these allegations. The investigation is ongoing, and McMahon's accusers have been contacted by prosecutors. McMahon will retain around 15 million shares in TKO, the parent company of WWE and UFC, after selling some shares.