SEC Investigation: How Vince McMahon Evades Criminal Charges Facing Misconduct Claims

Wrestlers facing off in a ring at a match.

In a shocking turn of events, wrestling mogul Vince McMahon has emerged victorious from a federal criminal investigation. The probe, which focused on allegations of sexual misconduct cover-ups, has been dropped without charges. This development marks another instance of McMahon evading legal consequences, leaving many to question the effectiveness of the justice system.

McMahon’s Legal Team Claims Victory

Robert W. Allen, McMahon’s lawyer, announced that the federal criminal investigation against his client has concluded. The probe, conducted by Manhattan prosecutors, centered on accusations that McMahon attempted to conceal sexual misconduct claims.

Allen stated unequivocally that the case has been closed without any charges being filed. This announcement comes despite a federal judge’s previous ruling of probable cause in the matter.

Allegations and Hush Money

The investigation delved into allegations that McMahon paid $10.5 million in “hush money” to two former female employees. These payments were allegedly made to silence accusations of sexual misconduct against the WWE figurehead.

On July 17, 2023, federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant and served a federal grand jury subpoena on Vince McMahon. No charges have been brought in these investigations.

– per WWE’s Q2 filing today pic.twitter.com/FdcGAxTTJJ

— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) August 2, 2023

McMahon, while not directly named in the ruling, was referred to as the subject of an investigation into circumventing company controls and misleading auditors. The case raised serious questions about corporate accountability and the treatment of employees in the entertainment industry.

Legal Battles Continue

Despite evading criminal charges, McMahon still faces civil charges from Janel Grant, a former WWE employee. New allegations and evidence have been introduced in an amended lawsuit, ensuring that McMahon’s legal troubles are far from over.

“This is simply the result of an appeal of a procedural matter that was argued five months ago. We have been in consistent communication with the government since that time and understand, with no ambiguity, that the investigation has definitively concluded and will not result in charges.”

The U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals had previously ruled that McMahon’s lawyer must submit over 200 pages of documents to a grand jury. However, Allen now claims this ruling is irrelevant given the investigation’s conclusion.