Vince McMahon sex trafficking lawsuit could avoid trial after latest motion
· Yahoo Sports
A joint motion by all parties in the sex trafficking lawsuit against Vince McMahon was filed that paves the way for it to move to private arbitration and avoid a trial.
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Janel Grant, Vince McMahon and WWE all filed the motion of adjournment in U.S. District Court of Connecticut on Thursday, June 11, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY Sports. The filing requests an adjournment of a hearing on June 16 in the case as, "the parties are in active discussions regarding a potential agreement to arbitrate the dispute in confidential arbitration that would moot those motions."
Both sides were scheduled to attend the hearing on June 16 regarding whether Grant would be able to obtain evidence regarding the case.
"They seek this relief in good faith, to avoid unnecessarily consuming the Court’s and the parties’ resources − and so they can focus on progressing the potential arbitration agreement," the motion reads.
The parties requested to file a joint status report within the next 21 days, and while it has not been approved yet, the belief is that the motion will be granted. Should it be granted, there is the opportunity the case does not go to a public trial and is instead settled privately.
It is unknown what led to the joint motion. Representatives for Grant, McMahon and WWE declined to comment.
The newest filing is seen as a major win for McMahon, according to a person with knowledge of the case but not authorized to publicly speak on it due to sensitivity of the case. McMahon has long pursued the suit to go to arbitration and avoid trial since Grant filed it in January 2024, citing a non-disclosure agreement Grant signed during her time in WWE. However, Grant's representatives argue she signed the agreement under duress and therefore it should be voided so it can proceed with a trial.
Grant sued WWE and McMahon, alleging the wrestling company's founder sexually abused her and took part in sex trafficking. There have been several developments in the litigation of the case, including Grant seeking her medical records and other items of discovery, such as the release of anonymous emails the led to the investigation into McMahon's conduct while still with WWE.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vince McMahon could avoid trial in motion of sex trafficking lawsuit