A new lawsuit claimed that Linda McMahon, US President-elect Donald Trump’s candidate for education minister, reportedly enabled child sexual abuse by a Wrestling worker dating back to the 1980s- claims she denies.
Along with her husband, Vince, Linda McMahon, who formerly served as WWE’s CEO, helped transform the business from a grappling entertainment company into a publicly traded media company. She stepped down in 2009 to seek Senate efforts in Connecticut, which proved ineffective in 2010 and 2012.
This complaint raises questions about McMahon’s monitoring of the welfare of her children at WWE because she is seeking confirmation while co-chairing Trump’s transition team.
According to the lawsuit, McMahon, her marriage, WWE, and TKO Group Holdings ‘ family business allowed Melvin Phillips Jr. to sexually exploit children while working as an ringside announcer.
According to the filing, Phillips recruited children as” Ring Boys” to assist with band installation at WWE events, using this function as support for oppression, allegedly occurring in view of workers in changing areas. He generally records the abuse, according to the lawsuit.
Five unidentified defendants, 13 and 15, were reportedly recruited by Phillips and filed in Baltimore County, Maryland, in October. They claim that the alleged abuse caused them emotional stress.
According to the lawsuit, Phillips allegedly lured and manipulated the younger boys by promising them to meet famous wrestlers and watch highly regarded wrestling shows, which they would have otherwise impossible. “( The McMahons, WWE and TKO Holdings ) allowed Phillips and others to engage in, and foster, the WWE’s rampant culture of sexual abuse”.
The defendants seek damages exceeding$ 30, 000, asserting the McMahons failed in their company tasks. From the 1970s to the 1990s, Phillips served as the crew chief and presenter for WWE until his passing in 2012.
Both McMahons were aware of Phillips ‘ activities, according to the lawsuit. According to the registration, Vince McMahon acknowledged that he and Linda were knowledgeable in the early-mid 1980s of Phillips ‘ “peculiar and strange interest” in younger kids.
Linda McMahon’s lawyer, Laura Brevetti, dismissed the allegations as false.
” This civil lawsuit based upon thirty-plus year-old claims is filled with scurrilous rests, exaggerations and untruths regarding Linda McMahon”, Brevetti said. ” Ms. McMahon will vigorously defend against this false lawsuit and, without a doubt, prevail in the end.”
Vince McMahon and Linda are no longer together, according to Brevetti. Vince’s lawyer, Jessica Rosenberg, has recently rejected the prosecution’s promises but did not respond to recent requests.
Phillips ‘ allegations of WWE misbehavior were first reported by The New York Post in 1992.
According to the petition,” It was well known in the WWE that Phillips surrounded himself with a gang of underage Ring Boys, including when he traveled across state lines and stayed in hotels with the kids.”
Phillips was fired by the McMahons in 1988 amid mounting allegations of oppression, and they were finally given instructions to prevent children a few weeks later, despite the allegations that the abuse continued without their knowledge.
These survivors now demand accountability from defendants for their actions in allowing the structural and widespread abuse by Philips, according to the lawsuit. No legal charges have been brought against the defendant.
Maryland’s Child Victims Act of 2023 removed day limits for specific abuse-related legal matches, acknowledging delayed publication due to injury, according to plaintiffs ‘ counsel Greg Gutzler.
Linda McMahon served as the president of the Trump Small Business Administration until 2019, when she became the organization’s chair. She helps direct the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-aligned company.
Vince McMahon faces ongoing investigation over abuse claims. He settled with a former worker in 2023 and left TK Holdings in response to charges of assault and smuggling, which he denies.
Vince McMahon is now facing a distinct Connecticut federal court proceeding that has been partially suspended until December. Linda McMahon, who left WWE ten years ago, is still facing constitutional issues as a result of a New York judicial investigation.
The US Attorney’s Office declined remark, as did Vince McMahon’s legal picture regarding the legal research.
