AEW Accused Of Violating NDA & Mistreatment By Former Partner Of BJ Whitmer

All Elite Wrestling and Chris Peck, General Counsel for AEW, have been accused of mistreatment and violating a nondisclosure agreement by Jaime Hawn, the former partner of ex-AEW producer BJ Whitmer. Within a GoFundMe, Hawn stated AEW and Peck's actions were "careless, egotistical and inhumane."

Hawn alleged: "I was brutally assaulted, and then robbed of any chance of justice when Chris Peck breached the terms of the very NDA he forced me to sign at one of my most desperate moments. Without being subpoenaed, or having any legal obligation whatsoever, and despite the date/time stamped documentation of my every interaction with AEW, Chris Peck wrongfully provided an inaccurate description of my intentions and false context of my engagement with AEW (Megha Parekh), dating back to June 2023. Peck blatantly lied to the Defense attorney and the Prosecution team. AEW has been made aware of Peck's actions, the impact his actions had on the outcome of my case, and the devastating effect it has had on my life since March 2024. AEW has had ample opportunity and time to address and take responsibility for Peck's actions, yet they have done nothing, putting me in the most vulnerable position imaginable." 

Hawn's allegations stem from the June 4, 2023 arrest of BJ Whitmer for first-degree strangulation and second-degree burglary. Police reports for the arrest noted Whitmer broke into his ex-girlfriend's home and waited for her to come home. When she entered the residence, Whitmer allegedly threw her on the couch and strangled her. Hawn has identified herself as the ex-girlfriend.

Whitmer was sentenced to five years probation and 120 days home incarceration in March 2024. The sentencing noted Whitmer would also have to complete a Batterer's Intervention Program and he would be subject to an Interpersonal Protective Order.

Whitmer's sentencing came after he accepted an Alford Plea, meaning that he maintains his innocence while acknowledging there is enough evidence against him that he could face a possible conviction in a jury trial. The felony can be struck from his criminal record in five years.

Detailing her interactions with All Elite Wrestling in the GoFundMe, Jaime Hawn noted she contacted then-AEW Chief Legal Officer Megha Parekh in June 2023 to inform her of Whitmer's arrest, his background of domestic violence abuse, and illegal drug use while he had been employed by AEW. Shortly after Hawn reached out to Parekh, BJ Whitmer was fired by All Elite Wrestling.

In the months following Hawn reaching out to AEW, Hawn claims Parekh offered therapy, as well as the installation of a home security system, a security detail when Hawn had to go to court, financial support for therapy and basic living expenses, and professional guidance for job interviewing practice. Hawn also claims she discussed partnering with AEW to raise awareness of domestic violence.

In late September 2023, Hawn noted that she received an email from Chris Peck, a member of AEW's legal team who had taken over from Megha Parekh after she stepped away from the promotion. Hawn alleges that Parekh forwarded all files which included emails, text messages, and call notes, to Peck but the AEW legal team member still asked Hawn to explain everything from the beginning.

Hawn stated: "There is nothing natural or reasonable about that general question when you are asking a domestic violence victim to relive and explain the trauma they barely survived. It is even more unreasonable considering all files (emails, text messages, call notes) were forwarded to Peck by Megha upon her shift away from AEW, as she explained when we connected briefly in October."

In later interactions, Hawn stated that Peck asked her to forward all evidence of documented abuse by Whitmer even though Peck had allegedly already received the evidence from Parekh. After Hawn and Peck spoke about an additional financial support payment, Peck allegedly asked what was needed to make "this" go away.

During their next conversation, Hawn alleges that outside legal counsel while Peck was present "flat out bullied" her and accused her of "attempting to threaten AEW with intentions for financial gain." Soon after, Hawn alleges she received an email from Peck which stated she would need to sign a nondisclosure agreement to receive the financial support payment.

While reviewing the nondisclosure agreement, Hawn asked Peck to verify that he had not been in contact with BJ Whitmer's defence attorney. At this point, Peck stated that Whitmer's lawyer had requested an itemised list of any financial assistance provided to Hawn by AEW. Hawn then confirmed the information requested by the defence attorney had not been subpoenaed and she asked Peck to inform her and the prosecution of any information passed to the defence. Hawn alleges she also asked the prosecution to review the emails between Megha Parekh and Hawn but there was allegedly no attempt by either the prosecution or defence to do so.

Hawn alleges that the NDA she signed "specifically stated confidentiality for all parties, forbidding the share of any details of engagement between AEW and myself. NDA states, unless otherwise court ordered or subpoenaed, neither party is to release details of the engagement between AEW and myself, and that any shared information provided by either party without such court orders would be a breach of contract."

After the NDA was signed, though, Peck told Whitmer's defence attorney that Hawn's engagements with All Elite Wrestling were purely for financial gain, statements which were then forwarded to the prosecution. Parekh reached out to both the defence and prosecution to clarify the conversations they had in the Summer of 2023 but neither replied to her.

Hawn wrote: "I, from the beginning, was not looking for anything but empathy and someone to help me out of the most challenging situation I've ever been in. Megha lifted me up; Chris Peck painted me as a hysterical woman. The initial crime was painful enough; Peck made all my worst fears as a victim come true."

POST Wrestling reported that a court filing submitted by the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s Attorney’s Office on March 1, 2024 stated that AEW disclosed details of a financial settlement with the alleged victim of BJ Whitmer to Whitmer's defence attorney. This made it part of the case's discovery and prosecutors learned the victim received over $40,000 of financial support from AEW, which included a settlement agreement.

Prosecutors noted they would have to reconsider how they approached the sentencing of BJ Whitmer after finding out about the settlement agreement.

"The Commonwealth was aware that [redacted] had been in contact with AEW shortly after the incident. However, the extent was unknown. Defense Counsel first provided the Commonwealth with confirmation that [redacted] had been given financial assistance and a settlement from AEW. The Commonwealth was required to let Defense know they were unaware of any such agreement. AEW reached out to [redacted] to notify her that they had been contacted by Defense Counsel. [Redacted] then reached out to the Commonwealth to explain the timeline of events leading to that settlement," the prosecuting attorney wrote.

POST Wrestling noted that prosecutors anticipated the victim would testify her emails to AEW were done to share information rather than seek compensation. Prosecutors acknowledged, however, that those communications could be interpreted differently by a jury.

Hawn noted in the GoFundMe that she was asking for support because she and her three children are now homeless. Hawn stated she may lose custody of her children due to being homeless.