As Vince McMahon’s sexual battery and trafficking case is still ongoing, the former WWE chairman now faces a separate complaint stating he ignored sexual abuse within the company.
A lawsuit was filed in Maryland on Wednesday against the WWE, McMahon, WWE parent company TKO, and Vince’s wife Linda McMahon alleging negligence that allowed the group known as the ‘ring boys’ to be ‘exploited and sexually abused’ by a company employee.
The named former WWE employee is Melvin Phillips Jr., who was the company’s’ ringside announcer and ring crew chief under McMahon’s leadership.
A statement from DiCello Levitt, who were part of filing the lawsuit, claim Phillips hired the underaged boys to assist with errands and other tasks to prepare for shows. The results were allegedly not kept to just those tasks.
‘The underaged Ring Boys were groomed, exploited, and sexually abused by Phillips, who targeted children from broken homes. His sexual assaults occurred not only at the wrestling venues, but also in hotel rooms and other locations where Phillips would shuttle the boys in plain sight,’ the statement read.
Vince McMahon faces a new lawsuit alleging negligence of sexual abuse from ‘ring boys’
Also sued in the filing was Linda McMahon, who worked for the WWE from 1980 until 2009
‘Defendants were fully aware of the systemic and pervasive abuse and did nothing to prevent or stop it. The FBI previously identified at least 10 Ring Boys abused by Phillips, but there are likely countless others who have suffered in silence for decades.’
The ‘ring boys’ lawsuit cites the decision to come forward now coincides with the information they have learned from Vince McMahon’s lawsuit from Janel Grant, who claims McMahon sexually assaulted her when she worked for the company.
Grant’s accusations led to McMahon’s permanent removal from the professional wrestling industry. The release also cites ‘recent changes in sex abuse laws’ that have allowed them to ‘pursue justice.’
Representatives from WWE and TKO have not commented publicly on the claims.
Jessica Rosenberg, McMahon’s attorney, told USA TODAY the allegations are ‘false claims’ stemming from the original reporting on the abuse three decades ago.
Grant also released a statement on the new lawsuit.
‘The allegations in the “ring boys” lawsuit against WWE are deeply troubling. Vince McMahon made sexual abuse and human trafficking a hallmark of WWE’s culture for decades. Survivors like Janel Grant and other former WWE employees deserve their day in court.’
‘All former WWE employees who experienced sexual abuse and harassment should be allowed to tell the truth by having their non-disclosure agreements waived. Ms. Grant stands by all WWE survivors and believes that Mr. McMahon, WWE, and all involved parties must be held accountable.’
Linda McMahon has not worked for the WWE since 2009.
