In the latest development in the lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant, her legal team has asked the court to allow the case to move forward into discovery, which is the phase where both sides would turn over documents and other evidence.
But the defendants, WWE, Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis, are resisting, saying it’s premature. They continue to argue the case should be sent to private arbitration rather than public court, citing the arbitration clause in the nondisclosure agreement that is central to the case.
It will be up to the judge, Sarah F. Russell, to decide whether discovery should begin before a decision is made about the defendants’ efforts to move the case to arbitration.
Grant’s attorneys filed a report with the court on Friday that outlines what discovery they want to conduct and sets out a proposed schedule for the case. They’ve provided a list of information they want to access, including communication records from WWE. Grant is seeking records potentially from anyone who has worked for WWE.
The filings state the plaintiff’s request for documents “may include any subsidiary and/or current or former executive, employee, contractor, agent, and/or similarly situated personnel of WWE, TKO, and/or Endeavor Group Holdings.”
The filing from Grant specifies that she is seeking documents related to McMahon’s payments to multiple women. In addition to that, she has requested records of WWE’s policies related to sexual harassment.
Grant’s attorneys also indicate they want travel records submitted for McMahon, Laurinaitis, or Brock Lesnar.
Grant alleges in her lawsuit that she was sexually assaulted by McMahon and Laurinaitis, and that she was trafficked. As part of her trafficking claims, she alleges that sexual encounters with her were offered to Lesnar amid his contract renegotiation with WWE.
In response, the defendants argue that starting discovery now could be a waste of time and money if the court later agrees to send the case to arbitration. In an email included as an exhibit in Friday’s court filing, a Paul Weiss attorney representing WWE argues that local rules in Connecticut federal court allow discovery to be delayed until the judge decides whether the case will proceed in court or be sent to arbitration.
In a statement to POST Wrestling, Kendra Barkoff-Lamy, a spokesperson for Grant, stated: “Janel Grant’s courage continues to be an inspiration to so many. Her filing today seeks to move forward with her pursuit of justice and accountability against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE for the horrific sex trafficking and abuse inflicted upon her.”
Representatives for Vince McMahon were contacted to provide comments. We’ll update this report if they respond.
Before either decisions about arbitration or discovery are made, Judge Russell will likely rule next on whether Grant’s more detailed updated complaint, filed in January, will become the operative complaint for the lawsuit moving forward.
After a ruling is made on the amended complaint, the defendants are expected to resubmit their motions to compel arbitration.
