Vince McMahon Sex Trafficking Lawsuit Update – Janel Grant’s Attorneys Asks Court to Start Discovery Phase for Lawsuit

As noted before, former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a lawsuit in January of 2024 against former TKO Executive Chairman Vince McMahon accusing McMahon of committing sex trafficking and sexual abuse towards her during her time in the company. Besides McMahon, WWE and former WWE Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis were also named defendants in the lawsuit. Grant filed a new amended lawsuit this past February detailing new evidence and claims against McMahon, Laurinaitis, WWE, and others.

Post Wrestling and Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston reported that Grant and her legal team filed a motion on Friday requesting for the court to allow the case to move forward into discovery. This phase of a lawsuit is when both sides would turn over documents and other evidence to each other.

Thurston reported that WWE, McMahon, and Laurinaitis are currently resisting and stating that it is premature. The defendants reportedly are arguing that the case should be sent to private arbitration than public court.

Thurston reported that Judge Sarah F. Russell will be making the decision on whether discovery for the case should begin before a decision is made regarding the defendants efforts to move it to arbitration instead.

In the filing, Grant’s attorneys are currently requesting for documents that “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.” Thurston reported that Grant specifically is seeking documents related to McMahon’s payments to multiple women and records of WWE’s policies related to sexual harassment. Grant’s attorneys reportedly also are asking for travel records submitted for McMahon, Laurinaitis, or Brock Lesnar.

Thurston reported that the defendants are currently arguing 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 in their response, 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 an official statement to Post Wrestling, Grant’s spokesperson Kendra Barkoff-Lamy commented on Grant’s request to move the lawsuit into discovery.

“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.”