One Big Thing
A federal appeals court ruled that Vince McMahon’s former attorney must turn over 208 documents to a grand jury investigating McMahon’s handling of sexual misconduct settlements. The court rejected claims of attorney-client privilege, citing the crime-fraud exception.
Why It Matters
This ruling represents a significant development in the ongoing investigation of McMahon’s actions while leading WWE, potentially exposing new details about how settlement payments were handled and reported.
Key Details
- The 2nd U.S. Court of Appeals in New York upheld a lower court’s decision
- Documents relate to $10.5 million in settlement payments to two former WWE employees
- Court found evidence that McMahon and his lawyer may have:
- Bypassed WWE’s internal policies
- Created false records
- Provided misleading information to WWE auditors
By the Numbers
- 208: Documents ordered to be released
- $3 million: Settlement with first former employee
- $7.5 million: Settlement with second former employee
- $400,000: Recent SEC fine paid by McMahon
The Latest Developments
- One recipient, Janel Grant, has filed a lawsuit claiming McMahon failed to pay the full settlement
- McMahon’s representatives have not commented on the court ruling
- The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan remains silent on the investigation’s status
What’s Next
The release of these documents could provide prosecutors with new evidence in their investigation of McMahon’s actions. This development follows McMahon’s recent SEC settlement and suggests the legal scrutiny of his actions continues to intensify.
Join the Conversation
How do you think these legal developments will affect WWE’s future and McMahon’s wrestling legacy? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
