A new update in the Janel Grant case.
In January 2024, former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a lengthy lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE, and former WWE executive John Laurinaitis. The suit cited allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and several other abuses. Initially, Laurinitis denied the claims against him, maintaining that he too was a victim in the case. Months later, Laurinitis corroborated McMahon’s counterstatements against Grant. A new development in the civil case, however, now sees Laurinitis flipping the script once again.
According to a statement obtained by POST Wrestling, Janel Grant, the plaintiff, dropped Laurinaitis as a defendant after the two sides reached an agreement. Laurinaitis’ voluntary dismissal was done “with prejudice,” which means Grant cannot refile claims against the former WWE executive.
“John Laurinaitis has agreed to cooperate and provide evidence in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE,” read the joint statement from Grant and Laurinaitis’ representatives. “His agreement to a confidential settlement is a pivotal next step toward holding McMahon and WWE accountable and bringing justice to Ms. Grant after years of sexual abuse and trafficking. Mr. Laurinaitis looks forward to moving on with his life. We cannot provide any additional details at this time.”
Edward M. Brennan, Laurinaitis’s attorney, confirmed his support for the statement with POST Wrestling.
Grant’s amended lawsuit, which expanded the details in her complaint, was approved by Judge Sarah F. Russell earlier this month. By June 13, the defendants are expected to file motions to move the case into private arbitration.
Vince McMahon’s lawyer issues a statement on the ruling
Update: Jessica Rosenberg, attorney for Vince McMahon, issued the following statement regarding today’s dismissal of Laurinaitis from the Grant’s case:
“Today’s dismissal of John Laurinaitis as a defendant doesn’t alter the facts of this case in any way. Vince McMahon never mistreated Janel Grant. No matter how many press releases her team issues, the truth remains unchanged. As Mr. Laurinaitis’s lawyer previously said: ‘Mr. Laurinaitis corroborates Mr. McMahon in publicly declaring that Ms. Grant’s allegations of sexual abuse and coercion in her Complaint are completely unfounded.’”
The new statement references comments issued by Laurinaitis’s attorney, Edward Brennan, to Wrestlenomics in May 2024, which can be seen below:
“John Laurinaitis has filed a Motion today fully joining in and adopting Vince McMahon’s motion to compel arbitration. Mr. Laurinaitis corroborates Mr. McMahon in publicly declaring that Ms. Grant’s allegations of sexual abuse and coercion in her Complaint are completely unfounded. My client will fight these false allegations together with Mr. McMahon in the proper forum, arbitration.”
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