According to representatives for Janel Grant, the stay on her federal lawsuit against former WWE CEO Vince McMahon, former executive John Laurinaitis, and WWE has expired, which will allow her civil case to move forward after a six-month pause.
The stay had been in place since June, at the request of prosecutors from the Southern District of New York (SDNY). Reportedly, attorneys from that office are conducting a criminal investigation into allegations of sexual assault and sex trafficking against McMahon. Despite the end of the stay on the case, the criminal investigation will continue, according to Grant’s team.
The statement released on Wednesday evening included comments from the former WWE employee’s attorney, Ann Callis.
We are pleased that prosecutors for the Southern District of New York have concluded that they can continue their criminal investigation while we bring forward new evidence in our civil case about the sexual exploitation carried out by Janel Grant’s abusers,” Callis said. “For the last six months, Ms. Grant has patiently waited to hold Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE accountable for the sex trafficking and abuse she endured at the company on a near-daily basis. Her wait is over, and we now look forward to sharing Ms. Grant’s story.
As of Wednesday evening, legal filings confirming this development haven’t yet appeared in public court records, and the defendants haven’t responded publicly. POST Wrestling reached out to separate attorneys for McMahon, Laurinaitis, and WWE for comment and will update this report if they respond.
A spokesperson for SDNY on Tuesday declined to comment when we asked for an update on the related investigation.
Grant originally filed her federal lawsuit in January in the District of Connecticut, alleging she was sexually assaulted by McMahon and Laurinaitis, and trafficked in the course of her employment at WWE.
The lawsuit was put on hold in June by Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer. His order specifically referenced December 11 as the date through which the case would be on hold.
While the stay was ongoing, Grant took legal action at the state level in Superior Court in Connecticut against Dr. Carlon Colker and his Greenwich-based clinic, Peak Wellness, petitioning for evidence from Colker to support her federal lawsuit. She says McMahon directed her to be treated at Colker’s clinic, where she was prescribed supplements and infusions, the contents of which were allegedly withheld from her.
News that SDNY was investigating McMahon for possible criminal charges related to sexual assault and trafficking allegations was first reported by The Wall Street Journal in February.
