Janel Grant Testifies on NDA Reform Amidst Allegations Against Vince McMahon and WWE
Janel Grant recently testified before the Connecticut Labor and Public Employees Committee in support of Senate Bill 355, a proposed reform aimed at limiting the apply of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in cases of workplace harassment and discrimination. Grant’s testimony comes as she pursues a sex trafficking lawsuit against Vince McMahon and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), alleging sexual assault and trafficking during her employment with the company.
Allegations and the Use of NDAs
Grant filed her lawsuit against McMahon and WWE in January 2024, claiming she was sexually assaulted and trafficked. McMahon has denied the allegations and both he and WWE have sought to compel private arbitration, citing an NDA signed by Grant. During her testimony, Grant and her attorney, Erica Nolan, highlighted the potential for NDAs to be used to silence victims and cover up misconduct.
Nolan emphasized the intimidation tactics Grant has faced, stating, “For someone bound by an NDA, intimidation does not have to be loud or obvious… Ms. Grant has faced public retaliation, exposure of her personal information, witness intimidation, and even public mockery on national television of what she experienced. She has effectively been made an example of what can happen to employees who speak out about misconduct.”
The attorney specifically referenced parallels between a WWE storyline involving Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio and the narrative presented by McMahon and WWE in response to Grant’s allegations. She noted that a segment of the storyline featured Mysterio displaying a purportedly explicit photo, drawing comparisons to accusations made against McMahon by Grant.
Grant’s Plea for Change
Grant herself expressed her desire to prevent similar experiences for others. “I don’t want to see one more person raped on a table, by two people with all the power, in daylight. Behind a locker door, while people sat on their desks working still on the other side of that door,” she stated. While acknowledging the legitimate uses of NDAs, such as protecting trade secrets, she argued they should not be used to conceal sexual misconduct and abuse.
Grant also called for a cultural shift towards meaningful change, rather than superficial actions. She revealed that she recently filed a police report regarding intimidation tactics that she felt threatened her safety, but WWE did not cooperate with the investigation. “This past week alone, I filed a police report… The officer reached out to WWE and to the state. When I got the report yesterday, WWE did not return the police officer’s phone call.”
Resources for Victims of Sexual Assault
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, resources are available. You can visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).