WWE Sued Over Allegations of Sexual Abuse Culture Amid Legal Changes in Maryland
BALTIMORE (AP) – A new lawsuit has been filed against World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and its founders, Vince and Linda McMahon, accusing them of fostering a culture of sexual abuse within the organization. This legal action, initiated on Wednesday in Maryland, comes after a recent law change eliminated the statute of limitations for child sex abuse claims, allowing victims to sue regardless of age or time elapsed.
The suit alleges that Melvin Phillips, a deceased longtime ringside announcer, preyed on young men, hiring them as "ring boys" under false pretenses. According to the complaint, Phillips would assault these individuals in various locations, including his dressing room and hotels, during his tenure from the 1970s to early 1990s.
Five unnamed plaintiffs, all aged between 13 and 15 when they encountered Phillips, claim the McMahons were aware of his misconduct yet failed to take appropriate action. "This wasn’t an isolated instance," stated attorney Greg Gutzler, representing the plaintiffs.
The lawsuit follows Vince McMahon’s resignation from TKO Group Holdings amid his own sexual misconduct scandal earlier this year, which allegedly involved serious accusations from a former employee. Attorney Jessica Rosenberg, representing McMahon, dismissed the latest allegations, describing them as "untrue and unfounded."
The complaint also asserts that Phillips was allowed to exploit his public WWE persona to entice local youth, with the organization allegedly rehiring him shortly after allegations emerged in 1988.
This case not only targets the entertainment giant but also highlights broader concerns over institutional accountability in cases of abuse. The lawsuit’s future remains uncertain, as the constitutionality of Maryland’s law is currently under review by the state’s Supreme Court.
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