Vince McMahon and WWE Officially Under DOJ Investigation; Rape and sex trafficking case suspended, for now

The horrific rape and sex trafficking allegations against former WWE boss Vince McMahon won't get their chance in court just yet, thanks to the Department of Justice.

In a filing sealed today, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York submitted documents to federal court relating to an investigation into McMahon, World Wrestling Entertainment and the company's former head of talent relations. WWE, John Laurinaitis.

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This has now brought to a close former WWE staffer Jamel Grant's explosive case over the years of assault and abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of McMahon and other members organisation. A separate document released Thursday by Damien Williams' office made clear that the government is not just dipping its toe into these potentially toxic waters.

“In addition to the attorneys already listed, please list my appearance as Attorney for the United States of America, Sarah Mortazavi, Assistant United States Attorney,” Williams wrote to Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer today in a document also placed on the roll.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of the Empire State declined to comment or offer advice when contacted by Deadline today. If and when this changes, this article will be updated.

However, five months after Jamel Grant filed a terrorist suit against McMahon, WWE and others, his lawyer confirms that the DOJ's long-awaited decision is significant – significant enough to stop the original case in its tracks for now .

“MS. Grant has consented to a request from the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York to stay his case against Mr. McMahon, WWE and Mr. Laurinaitis, pursuant to an ongoing non-public investigation,” the lawyer said. Grant, Ann Callis, in a statement. on the deadline. “ We will cooperate with any appropriate next steps.

Filed on January 25 and almost immediately attacked by McMahon's team, Grant's graphic lawsuit says she was repeatedly violently raped and otherwise abused by McMahon from 2019 to 2022. Additionally, Grant claims that She was trafficked across state lines to other WWE executives and even an unnamed “WWE Superstar” for sexual purposes.

Grant and McMahon agreed to a $3 million payment in 2022 to protect their allegedly degrading sexual relationship from prying eyes if she signed an NDA. The plaintiff has delayed her end of the deal, according to Grant's lawsuit, but McMahon has only paid her $1 million so far. For this, and as a result of its IPO, Grant is seeking, among other measures, to have the NDA invalidated.

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