Ann Callis, the lawyer for former WWE employee Janel Grant, along with Kendra Barkoff Lamy, Managing Director of SKDK held a media briefing on September 19 to address the upcoming ‘Mr. McMahon’ docuseries on Netflix and Grant’s sex trafficking and sexual harassment case against Vince McMahon, WWE and John Laurinaitis.
Callis gave opening remarks. She stated the following:
“Janel’s story is an important one, and we hope Netflix’s docuseries does it justice. Her experience is integral to an accurate and full re-telling of the story of the WWE and Mr. McMahon. While Janel didn’t participate in the Netflix docuseries, we hope it shines a light on the abhorent actions of McMahon, frequently on the WWE property, and it portrays the realities of his abusive and exploitative behavior. Many of the stories in the last few months have not portrayed her in the way she deserves to portrayed as a survivor of human trafficking and sexual abuse.”
Callis noted SKDK, which is a public relations consulting firm, was brought on board as support and to help raise awareness. SKDK previously assisted the survivors of Harvey Weinstein, Marilyn Manson, Jeffrey Epstein and former employees for the Washington Commanders.
When Callis was asked if they anticipate more allegations of sexual misconduct to come forward, she said they did anticipate other victims to come forward. However, with the status of the non-public investigation, at the present time, they have not spoken to other current victims at WWE. Callis went on to say they have every reason to believe Janel was not the only woman subject to Vince McMahon’s abuse and the media reported McMahon agreed to pay out $12 million to four women, all formerly affiliated with WWE in the last 16 years, to ‘suppress allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity.’
When asked if Grant’s team has watched the ‘Mr. McMahon’ documentary, Callis said they have not and that Janel deserves to tell her story, not someone else’s.
Asked if they have heard from anyone in WWE, it was stated there was some initial outreach by the company just after the lawsuit had been filed. Callis did not have any comment as it pertains to the federal government investigation.
Callis said when Grant spoke to those within WWE about her treatment, she was met with hostilities and no support.
Kendra closed things out by saying that Grant has experienced a lot of emotional trauma and is a victim of sex trafficking and asked everyone to keep that in mind when reporting on the story.
The six-part ‘Mr. McMahon’ docuseries premieres on Netflix Wednesday, September 25.
Source for this report is Fightful.