In response to allegations regarding Ashley Massaro’s alleged sexual assault, lawyer for John Laurinaitis, Brennan, vehemently denied any involvement in covering up the incident. Brennan stated, “Any allegations that Mr. Laurinaitis helped to cover up an alleged rape allegation is an outright lie.” He emphasized that Laurinaitis, like other upper-level management, merely followed WWE protocols, ensuring privacy for the alleged victim. He objected to the term “cover-up,” asserting that no such plan existed to hide or assist in the alleged rape.
John Laurinaitis
John Laurinaitis was named as a co-defendant, alongside McMahon and WWE, in a civil sex-trafficking lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant. The lawsuit accused both McMahon and Laurinaitis of sex trafficking and sexual assault, adding complexity to the legal proceedings.
Ashley Massaro’s Affidavit
In a sworn affidavit released posthumously in 2019, Ashley Massaro detailed her experience, alleging that she was injected with a paralyzing agent by an individual claiming to be a U.S. Army doctor during WWE’s tour of Kuwait in 2006. Massaro further claimed that top executives within WWE instructed her not to discuss the incident and agreed not to address it themselves to maintain the company’s reputation with the military.
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Investigation by NCIS
VICE News reported that the Naval Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) launched an investigation into Massaro’s allegations in June 2019. However, the investigation concluded in January 2020, according to an NCIS spokesperson. Additional information pertaining to the investigation is subject to the Freedom of Information Act for release.
No Response from WWE and McMahon’s Lawyer
Despite the gravity of the allegations, a spokesperson for WWE parent company TKO declined to comment, while a lawyer representing McMahon did not respond to requests for comments. McMahon resigned from his position as TKO Executive Chairman of the Board following the filing of the lawsuit by Grant, further adding to the legal and public scrutiny surrounding the case.
In summary, John Laurinaitis’s lawyer vehemently denies any involvement in covering up Ashley Massaro’s alleged sexual assault, highlighting the complexity and seriousness of the legal proceedings and investigations surrounding the case.
