Tag Archives: #doj

Vince McMahon & WWE under DOJ Investigation: Rap and Sex Trafficking case paused

The horrific sex and rape trafficking allegation against forme WWE boss Vince McMahon would not have their day in court thanks to Department of Justice.

In a sealed filing the US Attorney office for Southern District of New York gifted material to federal court for investigation they have opened into disgraced McMahon World Wrestling Entertainment and WWE ex head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis.

The US Attorney office of Empire State Southern District declined to comment or offer guidance when contacted by Deadline today.

However five months later Jamel Grant filed her allegations against McMahon, WWE and others her attorney confirms the DOJ’s long anticipated move is important enough to stop initial case in tracks for time being.

MS Grant has consented to request by US Attorney for Southern District of New York to stay her case against Mr McMahon WWE and Mr Laurinaitis pursuant to pending non public investigation. Grant lawyer said

“We will cooperate with all next steps”.

McMahon lawyer sidestepped the footprint in case by DOJ.

“We remain confident the evidence will prove Ms Grants allegations are false and her complaint is noting more than a fabricated vindictive narrative from disgruntled former girlfriend”.

Grant and McMahon agreed to $3 million payout in 2022 to keep her allegations about McMahon from becoming public.

That included an NDA. The plaintiff held up her end of deal Grant suits says but McMahon has only paid her $1 million so fat.

Grant is seeking to have NDA invalidated among other measures

Pair of days after issuing vehement denials of Grant accusations, McMahon cut his last leadership ties with WWE parent company TKO Group on January 27.

A steep fall from McMahon pivotal role overseeing the Septement 2023 merger of wrestling organization with UFC in $21.4 billion combo that created TKO where McMahon became Executive Chairman.

Following some sales of McMahon own beforehand. TKO agreed in April to buy a combined $311.2 million of cacophonous exec stock.

McMahon is understood to hold hefty stake in TKO still at least for now.

Slightly clear idea where how harsh that spotlight is shining on McMahon despite his denials of any misconduct.

McMahon was already under microscope in settled internal investigation 2 years ago by Endeavor owned WWE for millions in hush money payment to various women.

In summer of 2023 WWE admitted that things were not over. Noting related government investigations remain ongoing the company opened up in a SEC filing last year search warrant had been executed against McMahon and company and federal grand jury subpoena had been served on McMahon.

U.S. Plans to Sue Ticketmaster Owner, accusing it Defending a Monopoly: livenation lawsuit

live nation justice department

Live Nation Entertainment, the concert giant that owns Ticketmaster faces a clash that could  change the live music industry.

The Justice Department and group of states plan to sue Live Nation Entertainment, the concert giant that owns Ticketmaster.

Accusing it of illegally maintaining a monopoly in the live entertainment industry three people familiar with matter.

In recent past American regulators have sued other mega companies testing century old antitrust laws against new power wielded by major companies over customers.

The Justice Department sued Apple in March because the company has made difficult for customers to ditch its instruments and brought two case arguing Google violated antitrust laws.

The Federal Trade Commission filed an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon for harming sellers on platform and pursuing another against Meta.

The government will argue that tour promoted by company were likely to play venues where Ticketmaster was exclusive ticket service one of people said.

Live Nation artists played venues that it owns.

The Ticketmaster division sells 600 million tickets per annum to events around the globe.

it handles ticketing for 70 percent to 80 percent of major concert venues in the U.S.

The company has denied that it sets maximum prices and fees. Major venues are responsible.

Lawmakers fan and contestants have accused the company of engaging in practices that harm enemy and drive up ticket fees and prices.

At congress hearing lat year prompted by Taylor Swift tour presale on Ticketmaster that left millions of people unable to purchase tickets senators from both parties called Live Nation a monopoly.

Justice Department and spokeswoman for Live Nation declined to comment.

The lawsuit was imminent. The lawsuit is expected to be filed in the Southern District of New York two of people familiar with matter added.

The Justice Department permitted Live Nation the world mega concert promoter to purchase Ticketmaster in 2010 under certain conditions to laid out in legal agreement.

if venues did not use Ticketmaster Live Nation could not threaten to pull concert tours.

The Justice Department late investigation of Live Nation start in 2022. Live Nation ramped up lobbying efforts spending $2.4 million on federal lobbying in 2023 up from $1.1 million in 2022.

The Justice Department allowed Live Nation globe largest concert promoter to purchase Ticketmaster in 2010 under various condition laid out in legal agreement.

Live Nation could not threaten to pull concert tours.

In 2019 the Justice Department found that Live Nation had violated these terms and modified and extensed the agreement.

In April the company co hosted a lavish party in Washington before annual White House Correspondents Association dinner featured a performance by country singer cocktail napkins and Jelly Roll displayed positive facts about Live Nation impact on economy like billions.

White House, Live Nation added in June it would start to show prices for shows at venues it owned included all charges, extra fees.

The Federal Trade Commission has proposed a rule that would ban hidden fees.