WWE boss Vince McMahon reportedly made “hush cash” funds totalling $17 million to 4 feminine staff on the wrestling community – all of whom signed agreements in change for his or her silence on allegations of sexual misconduct.
The bombshell report famous that the 4 girls, who weren’t recognized by identify, signed agreements that “prohibit them from discussing potential authorized claims in opposition to or their relationships with the 76-year-old government.”
The Wall Avenue Journal reported on the 4 hush cash funds, citing sources aware of the matter and a overview of paperwork detailing the agreements.
The funds date again at the least 16 years and embody a $7.5 million fee to a former WWE wrestler who alleged that McMahon coerced her into oral intercourse, The New York Put up stories.
Following the incident, McMahon allegedly demoted the wrestler after which allowed her contract to run out. The fee was negotiated after the wrestler and her authorized staff confronted McMahon in 2018.
In a separate incident, McMahon reportedly agreed to pay about $1 million in 2008 to settle allegations from an ex-WWE contractor who accused him of sexual harassment within the office and sending her unsolicited nude pictures. The girl signed a non-disclosure settlement as a part of the deal.
McMahon can be alleged to have paid $1 million in change for the silence of a former supervisor who claimed the WWE boss initiated a sexual relationship together with her.
McMahon final month stepped again into the ring on SmackDown simply someday after recent allegations emerged.
The most recent allegations detailed by the Wall Avenue Journal adopted a June report revealing that McMahon allegedly made a $3 million hush cash fee to a former paralegal after an alleged affair.
A spokesman informed the Wall Avenue Journal that the corporate was co-operating with the board’s investigation and famous that McMahon’s affair with the paralegal was consensual.
WWE’s board is reportedly investigating that incident in addition to the $7.5 million fee to the ex-wrestler. It’s unclear if the opposite funds are below overview.
Shortly after the preliminary report surfaced final month, WWE mentioned McMahon had “voluntarily stepped again” from his function as CEO whereas the board investigates his alleged misconduct. His daughter, Stephanie McMahon was appointed interim CEO and chair of the board throughout his absence.
“I’ve pledged my full co-operation to the investigation by the Particular Committee, and I’ll do every part doable to help the investigation. I’ve additionally pledged to just accept the findings and final result of the investigation, no matter they’re,” Vince McMahon mentioned on the time.
Later the identical day, McMahon made an look dwell on WWE’s “SmackDown” broadcast and delivered temporary remarks earlier than leaving the ring.
WWE’s board can be investigating claims in opposition to government and McMahon confidant John Laurinaitis, who allegedly had an affair with the identical former paralegal. Laurinaitis can be being probed over a separate $1.5 million nondisclosure settlement purportedly made to an worker who accused him of misconduct in 2012.
— This story initially appeared on nypost.com and has been republished with permission