Vince McMahon Subpoenaed in Sexual-Misconduct Probe
WWE said law-enforcement agencies also asked the company for documents related to the allegations Vince McMahon, WWE’s longtime leader, turned the company into an entertainment powerhouse. Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images By Joseph De Avila Updated Aug. 2, 2023 1:10 pm ET Federal agents executed a search warrant and served a federal grand jury subpoena in July to Vince McMahon, the executive chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment, the company said. Federal law-enforcement and regulatory agencies also made “voluntary and compulsory legal demands” for documents related to sexual-misconduct allegations made against McMahon, the company said Wednesday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The search warrant was for McMahon’s s
Vince McMahon, WWE’s longtime leader, turned the company into an entertainment powerhouse.
Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Federal agents executed a search warrant and served a federal grand jury subpoena in July to Vince McMahon, the executive chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment, the company said.
Federal law-enforcement and regulatory agencies also made “voluntary and compulsory legal demands” for documents related to sexual-misconduct allegations made against McMahon, the company said Wednesday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The search warrant was for McMahon’s smartphone, according to people familiar with the warrant.
The actions by law-enforcement officials mark the latest development in a scandal that forced McMahon, the face of WWE, to step down from the company that he turned into an entertainment powerhouse. McMahon hasn’t been charged with a crime, the company said in its filing.
“Throughout this experience, I have always denied any intentional wrongdoing and continue to do so,” McMahon said in a statement. “I am confident that the government’s investigation will be resolved without any findings of wrongdoing.”
A spokesperson for WWE said the company has cooperated with federal authorities and respects the government’s need to finish the process.
McMahon left WWE in 2022 following disclosures by The Wall Street Journal of multiple payouts to women who had alleged sexual misconduct and infidelity. The Journal reported that he agreed to pay more than $12 million in secret settlements since 2006 to his accusers.
WWE’s board of directors appointed a special committee to investigate the allegations in June 2022. WWE’s board ultimately found the payments, though made by McMahon personally, should have been marked as WWE expenses because they benefited the company.
The company said in March McMahon repaid WWE $17.4 million to cover costs related to the probe.
McMahon returned to WWE as executive chairman in January. He went on medical leave in July after undergoing major spinal surgery, but will remain executive chairman, the company said in its filing Wednesday.
WWE and Endeavor Group Holdings, owner of mixed martial arts league Ultimate Fighting Championship, agreed in April to form a new parent company. WWE said it expects the transaction to close in the second half of the year.
—Ted Mann and Joe Palazzolo contributed to this article.
Write to Joseph De Avila at [email protected]
What's Your Reaction?
