As Vince McMahon’s sexual assault and trafficking case is still ongoing, the former WWE chairman now faces a separate complaint claiming he ignored sexual abuse within the company.
A lawsuit was filed in Maryland on Wednesday against 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 former WWE employee named is Melvin Phillips Jr., who was the company’s announcer and head of the ring crew under McMahon’s leadership.
A statement from DiCello Levitt, who were part of filing the lawsuit, claims that Phillips hired the underage children to help with errands and other preparation tasks for the shows. The results were supposedly not limited to just those tasks.
‘Underage Ring Boys were groomed, exploited and sexually abused by Phillips, who targeted children from broken homes. “His sexual assaults occurred not only at fight sites, but also in hotel rooms and other locations where Phillips transported children in plain sight,” the statement reads.
Vince McMahon faces new lawsuit alleging negligence of sexual abuse by ‘ring boys’
Also sued in the lawsuit was Linda McMahon, who worked for WWE from 1980 to 2009.
‘The defendants were fully aware of the systemic and widespread 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 many others who have suffered silently for decades.
The ‘ring boys’ lawsuit cites that the decision to come forward now coincides with the information they have learned from Vince McMahon’s lawsuit from Janel Grant, who claims that 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 statement also cites “recent changes to sexual abuse laws” that have allowed them to “seek justice.”
Representatives for WWE and TKO have not commented publicly on the claims.
Jessica Rosenberg, McMahon’s attorney, said USA TODAY The allegations are “false claims” arising from the original report of abuse three decades ago.
Grant also issued a statement regarding 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 culture for decades. “Survivors like Janel Grant and other former WWE employees deserve their day in court.”
‘All former WWE employees who suffered sexual abuse and harassment should be allowed to tell the truth by waiving their confidentiality agreements. “Ms. Grant supports all WWE survivors and believes Mr. McMahon, WWE and all parties involved must be held accountable.”
Linda McMahon has not worked for WWE since 2009.
