US District Attorney Overseeing Vince McMahon Investigation Set To Resign

Damian Williams will step down as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, with his resignation coming into effect from 11:59 pm on December 13, 2024. Edward Y. Kim will replace Williams until a replacement is appointed.

In his role, Williams has overseen the investigation by attorneys for the Southern District of New York into sex trafficking and sexual misconduct allegations against Vince McMahon dating back to the 1980s. A spokesperson for Janel Grant has announced their hopes that Williams will hold Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis to account before his resignation takes effect.

"The stay on Janel Grant's case will expire on Dec. 11th. Before he leaves, we hope Damian Williams will hold @VinceMcMahon & @JohnLaurinaitis accountable to the fullest extent of the law for the abuse Janel endured. She deserves her day in court," the WWE Survivors X account tweeted.

President-elect Donald Trump recently announced his intention to nominate Jay Clayton to serve as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Clayton previously led the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump's first administration.

Speculation throughout 2024 has suggested the federal investigation into McMahon will be restricted under Trump's presidency, especially due to Linda McMahon's nomination as Education Secretary.

Federal prosecutors have been investigating allegations against Vince McMahon since 2022. A grand jury subpoena served to McMahon noted several women beyond Janel Grant had signed nondisclosure agreements. This included a WWE contractor who Vince McMahon allegedly sexually harassed and sent unsolicited nudes to, a former WWE talent who McMahon coerced into performing oral sex, former WWE referee Rita Chatterton who has accused McMahon of rape, a former spa manager who McMahon allegedly sexually assaulted, and a former WWE employee who was allegedly demoted after ending an affair with John Laurinaitis.

Janel Grant - another former WWE employee - filed a lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis in January 2024, within which she accused McMahon of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and physical and emotional abuse. The lawsuit is currently on pause due to the federal investigation but is set to resume on December 11.