WWE Boss Vince McMahon Raided by Federal Agents, Announces Indefinite Leave

Former WWE CEO Vince McMahon was raided by federal agents last month over allegations of paying multiple women "hush money" for sexual misconduct claims. McMahon denies any wrongdoing.

Last month, federal agents conducted a raid on Vince McMahon, the former CEO of WWE, in connection with allegations of sexual misconduct. The raid took place on July 17 and McMahon was served with a grand jury subpoena, as stated in a quarterly Securities Exchange Commission filing by WWE, according to CNBC.

It is alleged that McMahon paid a total of $12 million to four different women over a span of 16 years to ensure their silence regarding the alleged sexual misconduct. WWE had previously announced that they would investigate the allegations and cooperate with any external investigations after McMahon stepped down from his position last year.

At present, McMahon has not been charged with any crime and the purpose of the federal agents' raid remains unclear. McMahon, in a statement to Deadline Hollywood, vehemently denied any wrongdoing. He revealed that WWE had formed a special committee in 2022 to review the allegations against him and that the review was concluded in November of the same year after an extensive investigation. McMahon maintained his innocence throughout the process and expressed confidence that the government's investigation would not find any evidence of wrongdoing.

In addition to addressing the allegations, McMahon mentioned that he was recovering from a recent spinal surgery and was excited about embarking on new ventures. He had stepped down as CEO in June when the accusations first surfaced. McMahon made a statement on X, the rebranded social media platform formerly known as Twitter, announcing his retirement and expressing gratitude to the WWE Universe for their support over the past four decades.

Although McMahon returned to the company's board in January, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that he is currently on indefinite leave. The WWE confirmed that McMahon went on medical leave on July 21, 2023, following a major spinal surgery. While he remains the Executive Chairman of the Company, his return date is uncertain.

Vince McMahon has been a prominent figure in the public eye for many years as a professional wrestling promoter. He has also made appearances in the ring himself. Notably, McMahon has been open about his friendship with former President Donald Trump. Trump, who is currently facing a four-count indictment related to his efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 election, has been a presence at WWE events throughout the years.