(NewsNation) — Federal authorities are investigating sexual assault and sexual trafficking allegations against World Wrestling Entertainment co-founder Vince McMahon, a new report from The Wall Street Journal says.
People familiar with the investigation told the newspaper that prosecutors in New York contacted women who have accused McMahon of sexual misconduct.
Last week, McMahon resigned as executive chairman of WWE parent TKO Group after a former WWE employee filed a 67-page federal lawsuit alleging that he sexually exploited her and attempted to traffic her to other employees.
NewsNation local affiliate WFLA writes Janel Grant, who worked at the company’s headquarters, alleged years of sexual abuse at the hands of McMahon and the company’s former head of talent relations, John Laurinaitis.
McMahon has denied these allegations.
“I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations, and look forward to clearing my name,” McMahon said in a statement to the WSJ.
Federal agents executed a search warrant for McMahon’s phone and delivered a subpoena to him over the summer.
A grand jury subpoena described to the WSJ asks for documents related to any “rape, sex trafficking, sexual assault, commercial sex transaction, harassment or discrimination” allegations against current or former employees at WWE. This included any communications between McMahon and the women, including Grant.
This story is developing. Refresh for updates.
