In a shocking turn of events, John Laurinaitis – one of the defendants in a sex trafficking lawsuit filed against the WWE and its founder, Vince McMahon – claims to be a victim of the former wrestling CEO.
The lawsuit, filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant, accuses McMahon and Laurinaitis of sex trafficking and sexual assault at the wrestling promotion’s offices.
But in a statement to VICE News On Thursday, Laurinaitis’ lawyer said his client was also a victim, telling the newspaper that “the truth will come out.”
When VICE contacted Edward Brennan, the attorney representing Laurinaitis, the attorney said, “Mr. Laurinaitis denies the allegations in the misleading complaint and will vigorously defend these allegations in court, not the media. Like the plaintiff, Mr. Laurinaitis is a victim in this case, not a predator. The truth will come to light.’
Responding to a follow-up from VICE to clarify whether he was claiming Laurinaitis was a victim like Grant, Brennan said: “Read the allegations. Read the federal statute. Power, control, employment surveillance, dictatorial sexual demands with consequences if not met. Count how many times in the complaint Vince exerts control over both of them.’
A lawyer for WWE executive John Laurinaitis claims his client is a victim of Vince McMahon
Laurinaitis was one of two suspects named in a sex trafficking lawsuit filed by Janel Grant
Grant has accused McMahon of instructing her to sexually serve Laurinaitis, creating “explicit content” for Laurinaitis and transferring her to the Laurinaitis department within the WWE.
Grant’s lawsuit accuses McMahon of directing her to create “explicit content” for Laurinaitis and arranging a threesome between them. The lawsuit also states that McMahon scheduled appointments for Grant to sexually treat Laurinaitis.
The lawsuit also states that after the threesome, Grant was transferred to the department Laurinaitis ran – talent relations. Grant claims the transfer also “involved an expectation, on the part of both McMahon and Laurinaitis, that she would engage sexually with Laurinaitis, both physically and with explicit content.”
“In June 2021,” the complaint says, “McMahon and Defendant Laurinaitis sexually assaulted Ms. Grant in Laurinaitis’ office at WWE Headquarters while colleagues were busy at their desks.
‘Behind a closed door, the two men cornered her and pulled her between them, forcibly touching her before finally placing her on a table between them.
‘She begged them to stop, but they forced themselves on her, taking turns restraining her for the other, saying, ‘No means yes’ and ‘Take it, b***h. ‘
McMahon resigned last week as chairman of WWE’s parent company, TKO. In a statement he said: “Madam. Grant’s lawsuit is full of lies, obscene fabrications that never happened, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth.”
The WWE logo shines from the WWE World Headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut on January 28
Laurinaitis is a former wrestler in the WWE and even married the mother of wrestling twins.
Nikki and Brie Garcia, who both wrestled under the stage name “The Bella Twins,” released a statement after the allegations were revealed.
“We are shocked and disheartened by the recent allegations against members of the WWE,” the Garcia twins said in a joint statement, which failed to mention McMahon or Laurinaitis by name.
“It’s been a lot to process since we found out this past week, as have all of you. This is something we do not stand for and do not condone from anyone, no matter who they are.
‘We want all women to feel safe and supported in the workplace and in their daily lives.’