Lawyer for John Laurinaitis Contradicts Previous Claims by WWE Regarding Ashley Massaro’s Alleged Sexual Assault

– A new report by Tim Marchmann with VICE News features new details regarding late WWE talent Ashley Massaro, who tragically passed away after committing suicide in May 2019. The lawyer for former WWE executive John Laurinaitis has responded to the claims made by the late Massaro in a 2019 affidavit, alleging that she was sexually assaulted by someone within the U.S. military during a 2006 goodwill tour by WWE in Kuwait and that WWE covered up the sexual assault.

WWE issued a statement at the time, claiming that Vince McMahon and WWE management were never informed by Massaro about the alleged sexual assault. However, the lawyer representing Laurinaitis, Edward Brennan, objected to the term “cover-up,” but reportedly confirmed that Laurinaitis was aware of Massaro’s allegations at the time, along with “most upper-level management.” This contradicts WWE’s official statement in May 2019 that neither McMahon or WWE management were ever informed about Massaro’s claims.

Brennan said in response to the questions regarding Massaro’s allegations, “Any allegations that Mr. Laurinaitus helped to cover up an alleged rape allegation is an outright lie.” He continued, “Johnny, like most upper level management at sometime became aware of the allegations and ensured all proper WWE protocols were followed, including privacy for the alleged victim. We object to the use of the term cover up as no such plan or plot ever took place to hide or assist in the alleged rape.”

John Laurinaitis was previously named as a co-defendant, along with McMahon and WWE, in a civil sex-trafficking lawsuit by former WWE employee Janel Grant, accusing both McMahon and Laurinaitis of sex trafficking and sexual assault.

In her sworn affadvit released in 2019 after her passing, Massaro said she was injected with a paralyzing agent by someone claiming to be a U.S. Army doctor during WWE’s tour of Kuwait in 2006. She also claimed that top executives within WWE told her not to talk about the incident and agreed not to speak on it themselves to preserve the company’s standing with the military.

Additionally, VICE News reports that the Naval Criminal Intelligence Service opened an investigation into Massaro’s allegations in June 2019. The matter was reportedly closed in January 2020, per an NCIS spokesperson. Further information could not be immediately released, as it would need to be obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

A spokesperson for WWE parent company TKO reportedly declined to comment. A lawyer representing McMahon also did not respond to requests for comments. McMahon previously resigned from his post as TKO Executive Chairman of the Board on Friday, January 26 after the lawsuit was filed by Grant.

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please call 988 in the US and 0800 689 5652 in the UK.