WWE’s Vince McMahon ‘paid $12 million in hush money to four women over the age of 16 after they accused him of sexual harassment’: The wrestling giant’s boss was forced to resign amid investigations
- The longtime leader of WWE paid more than $12 million in hush-hush payments over a 16-year period to women who say he molested them, The Wall Street Journal reports
- McMahon allegedly forced a female wrestler to give him oral sex before demoting her and refusing to renew her contract
- She was paid around $7.5 million in 2018 for keeping quiet about the incidents
- McMahon also paid a WWE contractor around $1 million after she came to the company with unsolicited nude pictures he sent her
- He is tremendously valuable to WWE and is described by the company as “critical” to their success
- The company reported record sales of $1.1 billion last year
Vince McMahon, the longtime leader of WWE, allegedly paid more than $12 million in hush money over a 16-year period to women who accused him of sexual harassment.
The payouts were made to four women, according to the Wall Street Journal, who all signed agreements barring them from disclosing potential legal claims against McMahon or their relationships with him.
The previously unreported settlements stem from incidents beginning in 2005, when McMahon allegedly forced a female wrestler to perform oral sex on him before demoting her and refusing to renew her contract, people familiar with the matter said.
The wrestler was avenged after refusing further sexual advances from McMahon and was paid around $7.5 million in 2018 to keep quiet about the incidents, according to the Journal.
McMahon, who is worth $2.1 billion, also allegedly paid a WWE contractor around $1 million after she came to the company with unsolicited nude pictures of McMahon that he sent her.
WWE Wrestling is investigating Vince McMahon over claims he paid women hush money after they accused him of misconduct, including a 41-year-old paralegal who says he gave her $3 million after they had an affair
Trump and McMahon at WrestleMania 23 2011 at Trump Tower
This woman also reported cases of sexual harassment at work and negotiated a non-disclosure agreement in 2008, people familiar with the matter said.
In a 2006 agreement, a former executive who worked with McMahon for 10 years before beginning a sexual relationship with him was paid $1 million to keep quiet about it.
The Journal also previously reported a $3 million agreement between McMahon and a former WWE attorney with whom he allegedly had a consensual affair.
According to the report, the paralegal met McMahon at the building where they lived before he gave her a job without her applying.
The WWE Board of Directors is investigating both the affair with the paralegal and the 2018 deal with the former wrestler. It’s unclear if they’re also investigating the arrangements with the former manager and contractor.
The Board is also investigating allegations that WWE Manager John Laurinaitis had sexual relations with the same paralegal.
A former wrestler named Johnny Ace, Laurinaitis was Head of WWE Talent Relations from 2004 to 2012 before being forced into a smaller role at the company.
The same year he resigned, he was allegedly involved in a $1.5 million non-disclosure agreement with an employee who was making misconduct claims against him. The employee claims she was demoted after ending a sexual relationship with Laurinaitis.
Laurinaitis was restored to his former role as Head of Talent Relations last year before being placed on administrative leave.
The investigation, by the board’s outside counsel Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, was sparked after WWE directors received anonymous emails earlier this year alleging that McMahon and Laurinaitis exploited the former paralegal.
Vince McMahon in 2022 with his daughter Stephanie McMahon
McMahon resigned as Chief Executive and Chairman of WWE on June 17, and was replaced by his daughter Stephanie pending the conclusion of the investigation.
McMahon is tremendously valuable to WWE and has been described by the company as “critical” to their success. The company reported record sales of $1.1 billion last year.
WWE’s revenue derives in part from an exclusive five-year, $1 billion deal with NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming service and television licensing agreements with Fox and NBCUniversal.