Federal Investigation into Vince McMahon Abruptly Concluded
Federal prosecutors have reportedly dropped their investigation into Vince McMahon, the controversial wrestling promoter and estranged husband of President Donald Trump’s choice for Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon. This sudden development comes as a surprise to many, given the serious nature of the allegations levied against McMahon. One of McMahon’s attorneys, Robert W. Allen, told The New York Post, "This is simply the result of an appeal of a procedural matter that was argued five months ago. We have been in consistent communication with the government since that time and understand, with no ambiguity, that the investigation has definitively concluded and will not result in charges." Despite Allen’s statement, the specifics of the federal probe and the reasons behind its abrupt termination remain murky.
Background of the Federal Investigation
The federal investigation into McMahon was initially reported by The Wall Street Journal a year ago, alleging that he was under scrutiny for "sexual assault" and "sex trafficking." However, a recent ruling by a federal three-judge panel from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals provides a different perspective. The ruling, which does not explicitly name McMahon, refers to "the subject of an ongoing grand jury investigation" and whether he "engaged in a criminal scheme to circumvent the company’s internal accounting controls" to "conceal multiple allegations of sexual misconduct." This ruling suggests that the investigation was more focused on financial manipulation to cover up misconduct rather than the trafficking allegations.
Legal Rulings and Document Controversies
In June, federal judge Valerie Caproni ruled that the federal government had "established probable cause to believe" McMahon and one of his former lawyers had violated the law. Caproni cited evidence that McMahon and his lawyer "circumvented [the Company’s] internal controls and created false books and records," "concealed the Victims’ claims and settlement agreements from [the Company]," and "made false and misleading statements to the Company’s auditors." The appeals court has also ruled that McMahon’s conversations with his lawyer were not subject to attorney-client privilege due to the "crime or fraud" exception. The court documents revealed that McMahon’s former attorney "specifically instructed" him to discuss payoffs "via text instead of email for the express purpose of avoiding the Company gaining knowledge of it."
SEC Settlement and Resignation
In addition to the federal investigation, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had been probing the hush-money payments worth a reported $10.5 million. However, the SEC announced in the final days of the Biden administration that it had settled the civil claims with McMahon over his failure to disclose the payments to WWE and its parent company, TKO. McMahon famously resigned from TKO in January 2024 after Janel Grant, a former WWE employee, sued him over allegations of sexual abuse and sex trafficking. Grant claims she was pressured to leave the WWE and sign a $3 million nondisclosure agreement with McMahon, though her lawsuit alleges that McMahon only paid $1 million. The appellate court ruling mentions this $3 million settlement along with another $7.5 million settlement with another former employee.
Amended Complaint and New Allegations
Last week, long-time WWE superstar Brock Lesnar was named as a defendant in an amended complaint in the ongoing civil case. The filing includes new disturbing allegations against McMahon and other members of the wrestling company, naming Lesnar as the wrestler he allegedly enticed into staying under contract by using Grant as a "sexual pawn." According to the suit, McMahon shared explicit photos with Lesnar and told Grant, "He likes what he sees." The complaint alleges that after Lesnar agreed to a new WWE contract, McMahon told Grant that "part of the deal was f***ing U." The Wall Street Journal had previously identified the wrestler in question as Lesnar, but representatives for Lesnar have not responded to a request for comment. An attorney for McMahon dismissed the allegations as a "publicity stunt" and a "smear campaign."
Additional Legal Actions and Medical Allegations
In October, Grant’s attorneys also sued Dr. Carlon Colker in Connecticut, alleging that she was drugged with unknown substances after being referred to the clinic by McMahon. Grant seeks to compel Colker and the clinic, Peak Wellness, to turn over her electronic medical and billing records, as well as any messages between McMahon and the physician concerning herself. The lawsuit claims that McMahon, who was allegedly in regular contact with Colker, had access to Grant’s private medical records and her treatments. Dr. Colker has denied the allegations. In her January filing, Grant also detailed graphic and violent sexual assault allegations against McMahon and another WWE executive, including being locked in a room and sexually assaulted during a work day. McMahon has repeatedly denied all of Grant’s allegations.
