Lawsuit filed against WWE, Vince & Linda McMahon on behalf of ‘Ring Boy Scandal’ survivors
Another lawsuit has been filed against WWE.
The law firm DiCello Levitt filed suit against WWE, Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, and TKO Group Holdings today on behalf of five survivors of the “ring boy scandal.”
The lawsuit alleges that WWE was aware of and did nothing to stop ring announcer and ring crew chief Melvin Phillips Jr’s sexual abuse of underage boys on the ring crew. It states that Phillips targeted children from broken homes and that assaults occurred not only at wrestling events but also in hotel rooms and other locations where Phillips would have the boys shuttled.
The allegations became public in 1992 and were covered on shows such as A Current Affair and Donahue.
The lawsuit also states that the five survivors, named John Does 1-5 in the suit, only recently learned of the depth of knowledge the McMahons and WWE had about their abuse as a result of new insights gained from the lawsuit Janel Grant filed in January.
“Thanks to the bravery of our clients, we finally have a chance to hold accountable those who allowed and enabled the open, rampant sexual abuse of these young boys,” said Greg Gutzler, a partner at DiCello Levitt, who is leading the litigation. “That so many were aware of the sexual abuse of the Ring Boys and did nothing to prevent or stop it is simply unconscionable.”
“The WWE and McMahons had a responsibility to these underaged boys, and they failed them in the worst way possible. We will vigorously fight to uncover the truth about this systemic, insidious, and life-altering abuse,” said Mark DiCello, founding partner of DiCello Levitt. “We commend our clients for their bravery in coming forward and promise to relentlessly seek justice for them.”
“These survivors are profiles in courage. One third of child sex abuse victims never come forward, because the shame, humiliation, trauma, and physical and psychological injuries silence them,” said Professor Marci Hamilton, founder and CEO of CHILD USA, a leading nonprofit think tank fighting to preserve and strengthen children’s rights. “Sadly, we know that 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 13 boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18. CHILD USA is fighting child sex abuse and trafficking, and one of the greatest tools in our arsenal is to push for statute of limitations reform so perpetrators and their enabling institutions can be held accountable in cases of delayed disclosure. Due to the Maryland window we fought for, these brave survivors can seek justice.”
Ann Callis, attorney for Janel Grant, released a statement on the news:
“The allegations in the ‘ring boys’ lawsuit against WWE are deeply troubling. Vince McMahon made sexual abuse and human trafficking a hallmark of WWE’s culture for decades. Survivors like Janel Grant and other former WWE employees deserve their day in court. All former WWE employees who experienced sexual abuse and harassment should be allowed to tell the truth by having their non-disclosure agreements waived. Ms. Grant stands by all WWE survivors and believes that Mr. McMahon, WWE, and all involved parties must be held accountable.”