Steve Carrier on October 25, 2024
WWE and Vince McMahon are at the center of new legal trouble following the filing of a lawsuit on October 23. The lawsuit names McMahon, Linda McMahon, WWE, and TKO Group Holdings, Inc., alleging negligence in their handling of the sexual abuse of underage boys by former WWE employee Mel Phillips, known as the “Ring Boy Scandal.”
McMahon’s attorney, Jessica Rosenberg, has responded firmly, dismissing the claims as baseless. She told Brandon Thurston.
“More than 30 years ago, the columnist Phil Mushnick tried to make headlines with these same false claims. Those allegations were never proven and ultimately became the subject of a defamation lawsuit against Mr. Mushnick. The negligence claims against Mr. McMahon that were asserted today rely on these same absurd, defamatory, and utterly meritless statements by Mr. Mushnick. We will vigorously defend Mr. McMahon and are confident the court will find that these claims are untrue and unfounded.”
However, Greg Gutzler, attorney for the plaintiffs, has now issued a detailed rebuttal via Post Wrestling. Gutzler emphasized that the lawsuit is based on multiple pieces of evidence that go far beyond Mushnick’s reporting. He stated:
“If you read the 81-page complaint, you are going to see multiple facts, myriad facts, dozens of facts that have nothing to do with Phil Mushnick. We had the fact that we had Mel Phillips shuttling young boys in plain sight, in front of WWE executives and wrestlers, from state to state. You have him in plain sight staying in hotel rooms with young boys. You have in plain sight Mel Phillips engaging in sexual foot fetishes in the ring in front of people, in the locker room in front of wrestlers, and he was even provided his private dressing room in certain areas.”
Gutzler further pointed to FBI findings in the investigation, “You have the FBI videotape, where the FBI said — the behavioral science unit said — this is consistent with pedophilia and sexual foot fetishes.”
He also noted that Vince McMahon was allegedly aware of Phillips’ behavior and initially fired him but later brought him back under the condition that Phillips “steer clear of the kids.” Gutzler added:
“McMahon didn’t deny that he told people Phillips was interested in young boys. While McMahon filed a defamation lawsuit against Mushnick, the fact that he walked away from it suggests Mushnick was accurate.”
These new allegations are being closely watched, given that they come alongside another lawsuit involving McMahon, where he faces accusations of sexual abuse and trafficking from former WWE employee Janel Grant.
The unfolding legal battle raises serious questions about past and present accountability within WWE leadership. Fans and analysts alike will be paying close attention as more details emerge.
Do you think this legal case will change public perception of WWE’s leadership? Share your thoughts below!
October 25, 2024 10:18 am
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