Former WWE CEO Vince McMahon Paid $12 Million in Hush Money to 4 Women Over Sexual Misconduct Claims (Report)

Longtime World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Vince McMahon, who stepped down in June over a handful of sexual misconduct allegations, paid upwards of $12 million to four women over the last 16 years in an effort to keep allegations from going public, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Representatives for the WWE did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.

All four women were formerly associated with the WWE and signed nondisclosure agreements to prevent them from discussing their relationships with the executive, per the outlet.

Also Read:Vince McMahon Steps Aside as WWE CEO Amid Ongoing Misconduct Investigation

These settlements include a $7.5 million payout in 2018 to a former wrestler who alleged that the CEO pressured her into performing oral sex on him. McMahon did not end up renewing her contract in 2005 after she declined additional sexual advances from him, according to the report.

McMahon is said to have paid a WWE contractor $1 million after sending her unsolicited nude photos of himself and sexually harassing her during her time with the company. A former manager with a decade of experience at WWE was also paid $1 million after McMahon reportedly attempted to keep their sexual relationship from becoming public.

Earlier this summer, the WWE board began investigating McMahon after it came to light that he paid $3 million in hush money to keep an affair with a former employee quiet. In June, his daughter Stephanie McMahon assumed the duties of interim CEO and board chairman as he stepped away from the company.

Also Read:WWE Board Investigates Vince McMahon Over Multiple Misconduct Claims, Secret $3 Million Settlement (Report)

The WWE board is also said to be investigating a $1.5 million nondisclosure agreement from 2021 between the same employee involved in the $3 million settlement and WWE executive John Laurinaitis.

In a statement released by the WWE in June, Vince McMahon said the following:

“I have pledged my complete cooperation to the investigation by the Special Committee, and I will do everything possible to support the investigation. I have also pledged to accept the findings and outcome of the investigation, whatever they are. I love this company and am committed to working with the Independent Directors to strengthen our culture and our Company; it is extremely important to me that we have a safe and collaborative workplace. I have committed to doing everything in my power to help the Special Committee complete its work, including marshaling the cooperation of the entire company to assist in the completion of the investigation and to implement its findings.”

More to come…