WWE’s Vince McMahon agrees multi-million dollar legal settlement with referee who accused him of rape
VINCE McMAHON has agreed a multi-million dollar legal settlement with a WWE referee who accused him of rape.
McMahon’s settlement with Rita Chatterton, completed last month, has been reported by The Wall Street Journal.
WSJ say they viewed a letter in November which was sent to McMahon’s attorney.
And Ms Chatterton, the WWE’s first female referee, demanded $11.75 million in damages for the alleged rape.
Although it is believed she has agreed to a lesser amount in the millions of dollars.
McMahon contended in a 1993 lawsuit that Ms Chatterton was induced to make a false rape charge against him by a wrestler with a grudge.
But he withdrew the lawsuit the following year to focus on defending against criminal steroid-related charges, which he was acquitted of in 1994.
Ms Chatterton alleged in 1992 TV interviews that McMahon told her she needed to satisfy him to obtain a $500,000 contract with the WWE and raped her in the back of a limousine in New York.
But McMahon has always vehemently denied the allegations.
Jerry McDevitt, a lawyer for Mr McMahon, said: “Mr. McMahon denies and always has denied raping Ms. Chatterton. And he settled the case solely to avoid the cost of litigation.”
It is claimed the settlement provides Ms Chatterton with a lump sum up front and annual installments, similar to other of McMahon’s agreements with women.
The American sports and entertainment mogul had last year stepped down as WWE chairman and CEO.
But McMahon confirmed in a recent statement that he was returning to the board of directors to help facilitate a sale of the WWE.
McMahon is the controlling shareholder of WWE, but stepped back as boss last June.
He left the company in the hands of his daughter Stephanie, 46, and his son-in-law Paul Levesque, a WWE legend known as Triple H.
But Stephanie announced her shock reassignment as co-CEO and Chairwoman of the board after her father returned as executive.
Husband Triple H is expected to continue his role as Chief Content Officer, with Nick Khan serving as WWE CEO.