TRIGGER WARNING - TRAUMA AND ABUSE
Janel Grant's lawyer speaks more on her behalf.
On January 25, a lawsuit was filed by Janel Grant against Vince McMahon, WWE and former executive John Laurinaitis. The lawsuit accuses McMahon of sex trafficking, emotional abuse, and sexual assault. The lawsuit includes disturbing details of how Janel was treated sexually, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Grant's lawyer Ann Callis spoke with Ashleigh Banfield on NewsNation and gave more comments regarding the lawsuit.
Banfield began by asking is there any reason why this wasnt a criminal case and is the statute of limitations passed.
"I don't believe so, but I represent her in the civil matter and cannot really comment on any criminal matters right now," said Callis.
Asked where she felt the lawsuit landed on the spectrum of things, especially following Me Too, Callis replied, "What happened to her was particularly egregious when it comes to the sexual slavery she endured, the devastating consequences physically and mentally when she was going through this, and still is suffering through this with PTSD. She had suicidal ideation. I was a criminal felony judge for nine years. The worst cases actually went to trial and that is murders and sexual assaults. This is in its own class. This is in its own class of depravity that she had to endure."
Asked Ms. Grant decided to come forward now, Callis said, "It was a process. It was an approach with our legal team and also with Janel. It was an arduous, long, systematic drive to get the best complaint that we possibly could. That's when it fell to file. Also, you mentioned some of the details and abhorant facts. We're going against the WWE, a multi-billion dollar corporation, who turned a blind eye to what was happening there to Janel. Also, Vince McMahon, a multi-billionaire, and John Laurinaitis, who is a powerful person in his own right. The only weapon we actually had was the true facts that we put in this complaint and the details, to try to even the playing field where she felt so powerless before."
Asked if she knew of others who might be part of the suit, Callis commented, "No more than the regular public about the NDAs that everyone has heard who has followed this story. She has no more knowledge than that. Our hope is, and her hope is, by coming out, by stepping forward, by bringing this complaint and putting her face to this complaint, that other victims of Vince McMahon and the WWE will end up becoming public and she wants to help them find their voice and get justice. She thinks and hopes by doing this, she will."
In the written interview, Callis claimed that more people want to come forward.
"My office and my inbox have had a barrage of people wanting to come forward to attest about this culture of corruption and also possible victims. We are just beginning now to wade through all this, but we’re frankly overwhelmed," she said.
Banfield referenced the lawsuit, saying that McMahon allegedly showed crew members photos of Ms. Grant and they had a laugh about things.
Asked if she knew who those people were or if they would be subpoenaed, Callis replied, "Our complaint has just been filed. We're hoping through the discovery process that we will be able to build a case with all the witnesses, everything that would be relevant, to put in the strongest case that would go to a jury trial."
Finally, Callis was asked if Ms. Grant was prepared for the scrutiny that would come as she faces a public corporation and figure.
Callis replied, "I think she is. She has been devasted, dehumanized, and discarded, and she is really a destroyed person physically and mentally. She is also incredibly resilient and incredibly brave. She sustained and undoing onslaught of sexual deviation from Vince McMahon, overlooked by the WWE. She survived that. I think she can survive some scrutiny."
The lawsuit describes, in graphic detail, Grant's account of her interactions with McMahon. Readers can view the lawsuit, which comes with a trigger warning, by clicking here.
McMahon has denied the allegations and said, through a spokesman, that he will vigorously defend himself.
Victim Resources:
National Sexual Assault Hotline
Hours: Available 24 hours
1-800-656-4673
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