<br><div><aside class="gnt_em gnt_em__fp gnt_em_vp__tp gnt_em__el" aria-label="Video - Former WWE CEO Vince McMahon accused of sexual assault, trafficking by ex-staffer"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><em>Note: This story contains graphic descriptions of sexual abuse that may be offensive to some readers or painful to survivors of sexual assault.</em></p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">A woman who worked for WWE and received a payout from the company has filed a lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon on Thursday that alleges the wrestling company's founder took part in sex trafficking and put her through sexual acts that were done with "extreme cruelty and degradation." WWE’s former head of talent relations John Laurinaitis is also named in the suit.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">The news was first reported in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/business/vince-mcmahon-accused-of-sex-trafficking-by-wwe-staffer-he-paid-to-keep-quiet-0b19b21c?st=0cn9sdzv8s0vuoq" data-t-l=":b|e|k|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a" rel="noopener">The Wall Street Journal</a>.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">The lawsuit, filed in the state of Connecticut and obtained by USA TODAY Sports, details the experience of Janel Grant, a former employee at WWE's headquarters. Grant said McMahon made her sign a non-disclosure agreement about their relationship for an agreed amount of $3 million. However, Grant didn't receive full payment from McMahon, and wants to void the agreement with the lawsuit.</p><aside aria-label="advertisement" class="gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">The lawsuit comes out nearly two years after <a target="_blank" href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/media/2022/07/08/wwe-vince-mcmahon-hush-monday-nda-affairs/10016621002/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|k|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">reports McMahon paid upwards of $12 million to four women</a> in a 16-year span to quiet allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity. The Wall Street Journal had also reported WWE was investigating a secret $3 million settlement to pay to an employee with whom he allegedly had an affair, after which <a target="_blank" href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/media/2022/07/22/wwe-vince-mcmahon-announces-retirement-chairman-ceo/10131323002/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|k|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">McMahon retired as CEO and chairman of WWE.</a> McMahon was <a target="_blank" href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2023/08/02/vince-mcmahon-subpoenaed-regarding-misconduct-allegations/70515211007/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|k|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">subpoenaed by federal agents in August</a> regarding the payments.</p><figure class="gnt_em gnt_em_img"><img class="gnt_em_img_i" style="height:441px" fetchpriority="high" data-g-r="lazy" src="https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/01/25/USAT/72354804007-usatsi-18017398.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp" srcset="https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/01/25/USAT/72354804007-usatsi-18017398.jpg?width=1320&height=882&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp 2x" decoding="async" alt="Apr 3, 2022; Arlington, TX, USA; WWE owner Vince McMahon during WrestleMania 38 at AT&T Stadium."/></figure><h2 class="gnt_ar_b_mt">Vince McMahon told employee he 'owns' and 'controls' her</h2><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Grant was hired...</p></div> <style> .wrapper { text-align: center; } </style> <div class="wrapper"> <a class="button" href ="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2024/01/25/vince-mcmahon-accused-sex-trafficking-former-wwe-employee/72353870007/">Read more <span>➤</span></a> </div>
