Vince McMahon, embattled former CEO of WWE, sued for allegedly enabling sexual abuse

A new lawsuit has been filed, accusing Vince McMahon of enabling the sexual exploitation of children by a WWE employee during the 1980s. This legal action involves allegations against McMahon, his wife Linda McMahon, the WWE, and its parent company, TKO Group Holdings. It claims that they allowed announcer Melvin Phillips, Jr. to exploit children as young as 12 and 13 by using his position to promise meetings with famous wrestlers and access to popular wrestling shows.

The lawsuit suggests that McMahon and others were aware of Phillips' conduct, which involved recruiting children as 'Ring Boys' for WWE events, a cover for sexual exploitation. The lawsuit alleges that this abuse took place in the presence of wrestlers and executives. Phillips, who died in 2012, was allegedly fired and rehired by WWE despite ongoing complaints.

This lawsuit, filed in Maryland on behalf of five John Does, also purports that McMahon acknowledged Phillips had an unnatural interest in young boys as early as the 1980s. The McMahons purportedly rehired Phillips on the condition he avoided children, which, according to the lawsuit, he did not, and continued his misconduct. Phillips allegedly filmed his abuse of minors on camera.

The filing is part of wider allegations against McMahon and WWE regarding historical misconduct. Among these claims, McMahon allegedly paid settlements to cover up issues of sexual misconduct and infidelity. He stepped down from his role in WWE amidst these controversies, later returning to its board, and more recently resigned from his role at WWE’s parent company following additional allegations.

This lawsuit represents a significant attempt by survivors to seek accountability and address the alleged systemic abuse within WWE.