WWE mogul Vince McMahon finds himself under the scrutiny of a federal criminal investigation following serious allegations of sex trafficking.
McMahon's close friend and a senior WWE executive have revealed that federal authorities have seized McMahon's phone as part of the ongoing investigation.
The controversy arose when former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a lawsuit, accusing McMahon of offering her a job within the WWE in exchange for sexual favors. Grant's claims go further, suggesting that McMahon trafficked her to other individuals. Vince McMahon vehemently denies these accusations and has expressed his intention to fight against them.
In response to the allegations, McMahon took decisive actions, stepping down from his role as Executive Chairman of TKO Group Holdings Inc. and relinquishing his position on the TKO board of directors. This marks a significant move for McMahon, who has faced accusations of sexual misconduct in the past.
“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, effective immediately,” McMahon said
Notably, in 1992, former female professional referee Rita Chatterton accused McMahon of rape. McMahon adamantly denied the allegations, but the matter was settled outside of court last year. McMahon's history with such accusations led to his departure as CEO of WWE in 2022 when an investigation revealed that he had reportedly paid nearly $15 million over 16 years to four different women to maintain their silence regarding sexual misconduct claims.
As McMahon faces yet another round of allegations and a federal investigation, his representative remains silent on the matter. However, social media has been buzzing with strong reactions to the news, emphasizing the significance of the situation and the public's heightened awareness of the issue.