Former WWE employee suing Vince McMahon for sex trafficking pauses case for federal probe

The sexual misconduct and sex trafficking lawsuit filed against former WWE executive Vince McMahon by a former employee, Janel Grant, has been halted temporarily while the U.S. Department of Justice conducts its own investigation.

Grant, who previously worked at WWE headquarters, has agreed to pause her lawsuit against McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis, the former head of talent relations at the company, at the request of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York to facilitate a federal probe.

“Ms. Grant has agreed to a request by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York to suspend her case against Mr. McMahon, WWE, and Mr. Laurinaitis, pending a confidential investigation,” said Ann Callis, Grant’s attorney, in a statement to USA TODAY Sports. “We will fully cooperate with all appropriate proceedings going forward.”

According to court documents filed in Connecticut earlier this year, Grant alleges that McMahon coerced her into a “physical relationship in exchange for promised employment at WWE,” which included forced sexual encounters, sharing of intimate photos and videos, and pressuring Grant into engaging in sexual activities with other WWE employees, including Laurinaitis.

The lawsuit further claims that McMahon subjected Grant to severe mistreatment and humiliation, leading her to disconnect from reality in order to cope with the traumatic experiences.

Following the filing of the lawsuit, McMahon resigned from his position as executive chairman and board member of TKO Group Holdings, WWE’s parent company. Despite the allegations, McMahon has maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings.