Woman accuses Vince McMahon of sexual abuse, seeks NDA waiver
- Janel Grant filed a lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE in January 2023, alleging sexual battery and trafficking.
- Grant claims she was coerced into a sexual relationship with McMahon and directed to engage with others, while seeking to invalidate a nondisclosure agreement.
- The case raises concerns about workplace culture in WWE and the handling of sexual misconduct allegations, prompting calls for waiving NDAs to empower other victims.
In January 2023, Janel Grant, a former employee of WWE, filed a lawsuit against the company and its ex-CEO Vince McMahon, alleging sexual battery and trafficking. Grant, who worked in WWE's legal and talent departments from 2019 to 2022, claims that McMahon coerced her into a sexual relationship to secure her employment and later directed her to engage in sexual acts with others, including former executive John Laurinaitis. The lawsuit also seeks to invalidate a $3 million nondisclosure agreement that Grant signed under pressure, asserting that McMahon breached the agreement by providing her with $1 million and failing to pay the remainder. Grant's attorney has requested that WWE waive nondisclosure agreements for other employees to encourage them to come forward with similar allegations. McMahon has denied the accusations, asserting that he had a consensual relationship with Grant and that he intends to clear his name. The case has drawn attention to the culture within WWE and the handling of sexual misconduct allegations, especially following McMahon's resignation amid an investigation into similar claims. The request for waiving NDAs aligns with recent legal trends aimed at empowering victims of sexual harassment to speak out without fear of retribution. This situation highlights ongoing discussions about workplace safety and accountability in the entertainment industry, particularly in organizations with a history of such allegations.