The day after a former employee filed a federal complaint accusing him and another former boss of serious sexual misconduct, including offering her to a famous wrestler for sex, wrestling legend Vince McMahon resigned from the parent company of WWE on Friday.
According to a statement posted late Friday, McMahon decided to step down as executive chairman of the board of directors at WWE’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings. Following the case filed by Janel Grant, a legal and talent department employee, he continued to deny wrongdoing.
The claim alleges that McMahon, now 78, forced Grant into a sexual relationship in order for her to acquire and keep a job, and that he sent pornographic images and videos of her to other men, including other WWE workers.
In most sexual assault cases, the AP does not name accusers, however, Grant’s attorneys stated that she wanted to go public. Her lawyer declined to comment on Friday.
According to McMahon’s statement, he decided to leave the board “out of respect” for TKO Group and WWE.
“I stand by my prior statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth,” he stated in the statement. “I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations, and look forward to clearing my name.”