Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, WWE and TKO Holdings have all been named as defendants in a new lawsuit.
As filed by the law firm DiCello Levitt on October 23rd, the latest lawsuit filed against McMahon and the company is on behalf of 5 survivors of sexual abuse. Known as “Ring Boys”, the suit claims that then ring crew chief Melvin Phillips Jr. hired underage ring boys and were “groomed, exploited, and sexually abused by Phillips.” It is also stated that the children came from broken homes and were targeted by Phillips. The allegations became public back in 1992.
The lawsuit alleges that the defendants were fully aware of the abuse and did nothing to stop it. Additionally, it is stated in the press release that the survivors only recently knew of the depth of knowledge that the McMahons and the company had about the scandal following the filing by Janel Grant in January 2024.
The press release is as follows:
BALTIMORE, October 23, 2024—DiCello Levitt and Murphy, Falcon & Murphy filed a major lawsuit today against World Wrestling Entertainment, LLC (WWE), Vincent K. McMahon and Linda McMahon (the McMahons), and TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (TKO) on behalf of five survivors of sexual abuse. The survivors (John Does 1-5) were known within WWE as “Ring Boys,” underaged boys hired by the organization’s ringside announcer and ring crew chief Melvin Phillips Jr. to assist with errands and other tasks in preparation for WWE’s wrestling shows.
The underaged Ring Boys were groomed, exploited, and sexually abused by Phillips, who targeted children from broken homes. His sexual assaults occurred not only at the wrestling venues, but also in hotel rooms and other locations where Phillips would shuttle the boys in plain sight. Defendants were fully aware of the systemic and pervasive abuse and did nothing to prevent or stop it. The FBI previously identified at least 10 Ring Boys abused by Phillips, but there are likely countless others who have suffered in silence for decades.
“Thanks to the bravery of our clients, we finally have a chance to hold accountable those who allowed and enabled the open, rampant sexual abuse of these young boys,” said Greg Gutzler, a partner at DiCello Levitt, who is leading the litigation. “That so many were aware of the sexual abuse of the Ring Boys and did nothing to prevent or stop it is simply unconscionable.”
The survivors only recently learned of the depth of knowledge that the McMahons and the WWE had about what happened to them and that sexual abuse in the company started at the top with the McMahons. The filing of Grant v. WWE, et al., No. 24-cv-90 (D. Conn.), the acquisition of the WWE by TKO, and the ouster of Vince McMahon as CEO all have provided new insights, and the possibility of coming forward without incurring the retribution and intimidation of the McMahons. This information, along with recent changes in sex abuse laws, has allowed them to pursue justice in this suit.
“The WWE and McMahons had a responsibility to these underaged boys, and they failed them in the worst way possible. We will vigorously fight to uncover the truth about this systemic, insidious, and life-altering abuse,” said Mark DiCello, founding partner of DiCello Levitt. “We commend our clients for their bravery in coming forward and promise to relentlessly seek justice for them.”
“These survivors are profiles in courage. One third of child sex abuse victims never come forward, because the shame, humiliation, trauma, and physical and psychological injuries silence them,” said Professor Marci Hamilton, founder and CEO of CHILD USA, a leading nonprofit think tank fighting to preserve and strengthen children’s rights. “Sadly, we know that 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 13 boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18. CHILD USA is fighting child sex abuse and trafficking, and one of the greatest tools in our arsenal is to push for statute of limitations reform so perpetrators and their enabling institutions can be held accountable in cases of delayed disclosure. Due to the Maryland window we fought for, these brave survivors can seek justice.”
The case was filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, MD by DiCello Levitt’s Greg Gutzler, Mark DiCello, Bobby DiCello, Adam Prom, and Emma Bruder and Murphy, Falcon & Murphy’s William H. “Billy” Murphy, Jr. A copy of the complaint is available here.
DiCello Levitt is protecting children, women, and men in cases of sexual abuse, discrimination, and exploitation. The firm is lead counsel in Does v. Peter Nygard, a civil suit spanning six countries and 50 years of abuse. In the cross-border matter, DiCello Levitt is fighting for more than 125 people abused by disgraced fashion mogul Peter Nygard.
The following video was also uploaded by DiCello Levitt:
Vince McMahon Allegations Brought Into Spotlight Once More
This is the second time in the space of a week that McMahon’s alleged business practices and morals have been in the news. Prior to the new lawsuit, a new expose on Vince McMahon was published with many former writers sharing their negative experiences.
Featured image: WWE
