According to Sports illustrated
Editors’ note: This story contains accounts of sexual assault. If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or at https://www.rainn.org.
Vince MacMahon’s retirement from the WWE last Friday was reportedly quickened due to federal investigations into reports that the 76-year-old has paid millions of dollars to cover up claims of sexual misconduct and infidelity, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The Securities and Exchange Commission and federal prosecutors have launched inquiries into payments that McMahon supposedly made to settle allegations of sexual misconduct, per the WSJ. WWE disclosed the inquiries in a recent securities filing that also said the company was still conducting an ongoing internal investigation which uncovered agreements by McMahon to make payments totaling $14.6 million from 2006 through 2022.
In mid-June, the Wall Street Journal first reported that the WWE board was investigating a “secret” $3 million settlement made by McMahon to a former paralegal with whom he had allegedly an affair in 2019. Two days later, he stepped down as CEO, with his daughter and former WWE Chief Business Officer Stephanie McMahon stepping into the role.
