A former WWE executive and co-defendant in the bombshell sex trafficking lawsuit involving Vince McMahon has reached a confidential settlement to flip on the ex-wrestling tycoon, according to reports.
John Laurinaitis, who served as head of talent relations for the WWE, was also accused of sex trafficking in the lawsuit filed by ex-employee Janel Grant.
Grant alleges that both Laurinaitis and McMahon subjected her to years of sexual abuse and coercion, with WWE superstar Brock Lesnar also named in the lawsuit earlier this year.
Yet in a joint statement issued by both his and Grant’s representatives on Wednesday, it was revealed that Laurinaitis – who was fired by the WWE in 2022 – has gone full heel-turn on McMahon by agreeing to flip on him.
‘John Laurinaitis has agreed to cooperate and provide evidence in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE,’ the statement said, via The New York Post.
‘His agreement to a confidential settlement is a pivotal next step toward holding McMahon and WWE accountable and bringing justice to Ms. Grant after years of sexual abuse and trafficking.’
‘Mr. Laurinaitis looks forward to moving on with his life,’ the statement added.
An ex-WWE exec has agreed to flip on Vince McMahon in the sex trafficking suit against him
Former employee Janel Grant (pictured) accused McMahon and the executive of years of sexual abuse and coercion
The co-defendant in question, John Laurinaitis (pictured), has reached a settlement to go full heel-turn on McMahon
In a statement provided to DailyMail.com, Jessica Rosenberg – an attorney for McMahon – said: ‘Today’s dismissal of John Laurinaitis as a defendant doesn’t alter the facts of this case in any way. Vince McMahon never mistreated Janel Grant. No matter how many press releases her team issues, the truth remains unchanged.
‘As Mr. Laurinaitis’s lawyer previously said: ‘Mr. Laurinaitis corroborates Mr. McMahon in publicly declaring that Ms. Grant’s allegations of sexual abuse and coercion in her Complaint are completely unfounded.’’
Rosenberg was referencing a 2024 statement made by Laurinaitis’ attorney Edward Brennen, which also said: ‘My client will fight these false allegations together with Mr. McMahon in the proper forum, arbitration.”
Grant previously agreed to a $3million settlement in exchange for signing a nondisclosure agreement in 2022.
But last year she filed a new lawsuit against McMahon, the WWE and Laurinaitis, claiming the former stopped making payments after the initial $1m installment and requesting to void that agreement.
Her allegations include that McMahon and Laurinaitis locked her in a room at the WWE’s Stamford, Connecticut headquarters in June of 2021 and took turns sexually assaulting during the work day.
The married McMahon is additionally accused of trafficking Grant to other men, forcing her to perform sex acts ‘on demand’ and sharing nude photographs of the plaintiff.
Grant worked at WWE’s headquarters in Stamford between June 2019 and March 2022
In one alleged text message from 2020, he is accused of sharing a photo of her with others and writing: ‘She may scream and try to say NO!!although it would B difficult to say anything with a c*** down her throat.’
Another message allegedly sent by McMahon to Grant a month earlier read: ‘I’m the only one who owns U and controls who I want to f*** U.’
The WWE board learned of McMahon’s relationship with Grant from an anonymous tip in 2022 and launched an internal investigation, which subsequently uncovered $14.6m in other alleged payments by the executive to various women.
Grant’s filing alleges that McMahon ensnared her in a sexual relationship by promising to help advance her career before ultimately exploiting her and trafficking her to other executives within the company.
