BALTIMORE, Md. — A federal lawsuit implicating former WWE CEO Linda McMahon in failing to act against alleged sexual abuse within the wrestling organization by an ex-announcer has been temporarily halted. The halt is awaiting a ruling on legal grounds concerning Maryland’s statute of limitations revisions for child sexual abuse claims.
Linda McMahon, noted for her role as a senior executive in WWE and later her political engagement including a stint under President Trump’s administration, faces these allegations amidst broader scrutiny of WWE’s historical conduct. The lawsuit, originally lodged in U.S. District Court in Maryland, was initiated by five anonymous men who assert they were abused as minors by then WWE ringside announcer Melvin Phillips.
According to the complaint, Phillips, who was a prominent figure in WWE, is accused of hiring and subsequently molesting “ring boys”, some as young as 13, in various locations including dressing rooms and hotels during the 1980s. Phillips passed away in 2012, leaving these allegations unresolved until reignited by recent legal changes.
In response to the lawsuit, McMahon’s attorney announced last November that McMahon disputes the charges and intends to rigorously defend her stance. These allegations have resurfaced against a backdrop of Maryland’s recent legislative shift which saw the elimination of the state’s statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse cases, a significant amendment that led to the filing of new claims.
However, the legal proceedings are paused until the Maryland Supreme Court decides whether the Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023 aligns with constitutional standards. This ruling is crucial, as it could impact not only McMahon’s case but potentially hundreds of others resurrected under the amended law. Court orders stipulate that every 60 days from the order date and within 15 days of a Supreme Court decision a status report must be filed by the involved parties.
Linda McMahon, together with her husband Vince McMahon, founded and led WWE, transforming it into an entertainment powerhouse recognized globally. The couple’s longstanding relationship with Donald Trump has kept them at a pivotal junction of media, sports, and politics. They have been prominent supporters and donors to Trump’s campaigns and Linda McMahon even served as the leader of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s tenure, before resigning to aid his 2020 reelection bid.
The McMahon case is set against a wider exploration of behavioral norms and accountability in industries towering over American entertainment and sports sectors. How this case resolves could send significant ripples through legal and professional communities, scrutinizing the ways businesses address or ignore grave misconduct allegations.
The outcomes of this lawsuit and the Maryland Supreme Court’s ruling on the Child Victims Act could set meaningful precedents for future abuse claims and corporate responsibility in similar high-profile cases.
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