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A lawsuit filed in October has accused Linda McMahon, former WWE CEO and President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, of overlooking allegations of child sexual abuse involving a former WWE announcer. The suit claims McMahon, her husband Vince McMahon, and other WWE officials were aware of misconduct by Melvin Phillips, a former ringside announcer, but failed to take action.
Allegations Against Former WWE Announcer Melvin Phillips
The lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of five unnamed men, accuses Phillips of hiring and later assaulting "ring boys" as young as 13. According to the plaintiffs, the abuse occurred in various locations, including WWE arena facilities, dressing rooms, locker rooms, and hotels. The lawsuit targets Linda and Vince McMahon, as well as the WWE, under a new Maryland law that removes the statute of limitations for child sex abuse claims.
Phillips, who died in 2012, was a well-known figure in WWE, and the lawsuit claims he abused young boys over a period of years. The suit further alleges that both the McMahons and WWE officials were aware of the abuse but failed to intervene or prevent it.
Linda McMahon’s Legal Defense
An attorney representing Linda McMahon responded to the lawsuit by asserting that McMahon would "vigorously defend against this baseless lawsuit" and expressed confidence that she would ultimately prevail. “This civil lawsuit, based on allegations more than thirty years old, is filled with lies, exaggerations, and misrepresentations,” said attorney Laura Brevetti.
Brevetti also emphasized that the matter was previously investigated by company attorneys and the FBI in 1993, which found no grounds for continuing the investigation. Despite the FBI's involvement, no charges were ever filed.
Vince McMahon’s Acknowledgment and Rehiring of Phillips
The lawsuit references a 1992 New York Post report and a later deposition in which Vince McMahon reportedly acknowledged that he had fired Phillips due to concerns about his "relationship with kids" but later rehired him. The lawsuit claims that this decision was made despite Vince's awareness of Phillips' troubling behavior.
Vince McMahon’s Resignation Amid Separate Allegations
In January, Vince McMahon resigned from WWE’s parent company after facing allegations from a former employee who accused him of forcing her into a sexual relationship and offering sex with a WWE performer. Vince denied the claims, calling the lawsuit “replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred,” and described it as a “vindictive distortion of the truth.”
Linda McMahon’s Political Career and Nomination for Education Secretary
Linda McMahon, who previously served as the administrator of the Small Business Administration under President Trump, was nominated by Trump to be the Secretary of Education in his second administration. McMahon’s experience includes a brief tenure on the Connecticut State Board of Education in 2009 and 2010.
As of now, no comments have been received from Vince McMahon’s attorney, spokespeople for the WWE, or the incoming Trump administration regarding the current lawsuit.
