Former WWE executive John Laurinaitis was seemingly aware of allegations against Vince McMahon by the late Ashley Massaro, according to a report from VICE News.
Massaro’s lawyer released an affidavit after Massaro’s death in 2019, detailing a harrowing incident that took place in Kuwait during a WWE tour in 2006.
The incident was allegedly covered up by WWE executives including McMahon and Laurinaitis in an effort to “preserve [WWE]’s relationship with the military.”
VICE News further reports that the Naval Criminal Intelligence Service opened an investigation into the allegations in June 2019, and that the investigation closed in January 2020; further information could not be immediately released until it is obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.
The allegations have been given a new scope following the filing of a civil lawsuit against the executives, with Laurinaitis’s lawyer Edward Brennan issuing a statement saying that the allegations against his client are an “outright lie,” adding:
“Johnny, like most upper level management at sometime became aware of the allegations and ensured all proper WWE protocols were followed, including privacy for the alleged victim. We object to the use of the term cover up as no such plan or plot ever took place to hide or assist in the alleged rape.”
A spokesperson for TKO Group declined to comment.