Vince McMahon’s lawyers say criminal investigation into former WWE chairman dropped

  • Ian Carey
  • By 

According to his lawyers, Vince McMahon is no longer under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan had been investigating McMahon on potential criminal charges stemming from a lawsuit filed in January 2024 by former WWE employee Janel Grant against McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE. The lawsuit alleges sexual assault and trafficking during her time with the company. In June 2024, the DOJ requested a pause in Grant’s lawsuit to allow for a criminal investigation. It resumed in December after a six-month stay.

On Monday, the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling that McMahon’s lawyer was wrong to withhold 208 pages of documents related to the case, rejecting their claim of attorney-client privilege. Barring an appeal to the Supreme Court, McMahon’s legal team will have to turn over the documents to a grand jury.

Today, McMahon’s lawyer, Robert W. Allen, released a statement to the New York Post dismissing the court’s ruling as irrelevant, stating that the documents will not be reviewed as part of a criminal investigation, as the case has been closed.

“This is simply the result of an appeal of a procedural matter that was argued five months ago,” Allen said. “We have been in consistent communication with the government since that time and understand, with no ambiguity, that the investigation has definitively concluded and will not result in charges.”

McMahon reached a settlement with the SEC last month over failing to disclose hush money payments to WWE, which led the company to adjust its financial statements in August 2022. As part of the agreement, he will pay a $400,000 civil penalty and reimburse WWE $1.33 million after being found to have violated the Securities Exchange Act.

While McMahon may no longer be facing criminal prosecution, as stated by his legal team, he still faces ongoing civil litigation related to the allegations. Recently, Grant’s lawyers filed an amended lawsuit, introducing new allegations and evidence against McMahon.