Vince McMahon’s co-defendant in the bombshell civil sex-trafficking lawsuit is now claiming he is also a victim of McMahon’s actions in a stunning turn against the ex-WWE honcho.
John Laurinaitis, WWE’s former head of talent relations and a fellow defendant in the lawsuit filed by ex-WWE employee Janel Grant, was allegedly recruited by McMahon to have sex with Grant.
“Mr. Laurinaitis denies the allegations in the misguided complaint and will be vigorously defending these charges in Court, not the media,” Laurinaitis’ lawyer Edward Brennan told VICE News.
“Like the Plaintiff, Mr. Laurinaitis is a victim in this case, not a predator. The truth will come out.”
Grant claims McMahon, who was since stepped down from his executive chairman role of WWE-parent TKO Holdings, trafficked her to other WWE executives, sexually abused her with toys he named after wrestling stars and even defecated on her during a threesome.
She allegedly visited Laurinaitis — the stepfather of former WWE stars Nikki and Brie Garcia, the “Bella Twins” — in hotel rooms for sex before workdays at McMahon’s command and was transferred to his talent relations department.
According to the suit, filed in Connecticut, Laurinaitis and McMahon forced themselves on Grant, 43, and took turns restraining her in a June 2021 incident at WWE headquarters.
They told her during the alleged assault that “no means yes” and “Take it, b—h,” among other things, court documents state.
“Read the allegations,” Brennan told VICE. “Read the Federal Statute. Power, control, employment supervisory capacity, dictatorial sexual demands with repercussions if not met. Count how many times in the complaint Vince exerts control over both of them.”
McMahon, who denies the accusations, resigned last week.
“I stand by my prior statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth,” McMahon said in a statement last Friday. “I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations, and look forward to clearing my name.
“However, out of respect for the WWE Universe, the extraordinary TKO business and its board members and shareholders, partners and constituents, and all of the employees and Superstars who helped make WWE into the global leader it is today, I have decided to resign from my executive chairmanship and the TKO board of directors, effectively immediately.”
According to the Wall Street Journal, McMahon is now under federal investigation by New York prosecutors over the sexual assault and sex trafficking allegations.
A WWE probe found McMahon paid $14.6 million to several women who accused him of sexual misconduct.
“[Grant] hopes those at the company past and present who fear speaking out about harm is a thing of the past. She wishes them all peace,” Grant’s attorney, Ann Callis said in a statement.
