WWE have put out a statement after a new report claimed that Vince McMahon paid out more than $12 million dollars in hush money to four separate women.
On July 8th the Wall Street Journal published a new report featuring more allegations involving claims of misconduct against Vince McMahon.
The report alleges that McMahon paid more than $12 million to four women formerly associated with WWE over the course of 16 years.
In response, PWInsider reports that WWE issued a statement to staff commenting that they are taking the claims seriously and will continue to cooperate with the investigation by the Board of Directors.
“The Wall Street Journal has published a second story with expanded details on its initial WWE report last month. We want to reiterate that we and our Board of Directors take these allegations seriously.
We’ve been cooperating fully with the investigation led by our Board of Directors and will continue to do so until its conclusion. Please note that upon its conclusion, WWE leadership will make itself available to answer any questions you may have.”
The new report contains allegations that McMahon paid a total of $7.5 million to a former wrestler who it is claimed he coerced into giving him oral sex. Furthermore, he demoted the wrestler, and eventually failed to renew her contract after she rejected further sexual advances.
It is claimed that the wrestler approached McMahon and negotiated the payment in 2018 in exchange for her silence.
The report also alleges that a “WWE contractor” presented the company with unsolicited nude photos of McMahon she had received from the WWE boss. People familiar with 2018 nondisclosure agreement and the woman in question allege that McMahon sexually harassed her on the job.
In a 2006 agreement a former manager worked for McMahon for 10 years “before he allegedly initiated a sexual relationship with her was paid $1 million to keep quiet about it, according to people familiar with the deal.”
The report also notes that John Laurinaitis is being investigated over a “$1.5 million nondisclosure agreement reached in 2012 with an employee.”