John Lauriniatis: WWE knew of Ashley Massaro’s rape claim in todays Wrestling news
Edward Brennan recently spoke with Vice News.
The lawyer for John Lauriniatis claims that WWE management knew about the allegations made by Ashley Massaro, despite what they claimed.
In an affidavit, released by her attorney the day after Massaro’s death in 2019, Massaro claims that she was raped and drugged by someone posing as a U.S. Army doctor. The alleged assault occurred in 2007 when Massaro was on a tour of Kuwaiti military bases for a public relations campaign.
Massaro’s affidavit states that Vince McMahon, Lauriniatis and others told her to keep quiet about the incident to preserve WWE’s relationship to the U.S. Military.
In the affidavit, she stated that “(McMahon), told me not let one bad experience ruin their good work.”
WWE released a press release a few days following the release of the affidavit. They stated that they were not informed of the alleged attack and that, if they were, they would “have reported it immediately to Base Commander.”
Edward Brennan, a lawyer for Laurinitais spoke recently to Vice about the matter. He claims that WWE management knew about Massaro’s allegations, but he disagreed with calling it a “cover-up.”
Brennan wrote Vice that “any allegations that Mr. Laurinaitus assisted in covering up an alleged rape accusation is a lie.” “Johnny like most upper-level management became aware of the allegations at some point and ensured that all proper WWE protocol was followed, including privacy for alleged victim. We object to the term “cover up” as no such plan, plot or scheme was ever used to hide or aid in the alleged sexual assault.”
The Naval Criminal Intelligence Service conducted an investigation into Massaro’s claims in June 2019. The investigation was concluded in January 2020. The findings of the investigation have not been made publicly available.
Massaro was 39. She had been battling depression for years. In an affidavit filed in 2017 as part of a lawsuit against WWE, she claimed that she was raped by a man and sexually assaulted while on a tour of military bases in 2007 while working for WWE. She was told to keep silent about the incident. WWE has denied the charge in the past, and again this week.
Depression is a bigger issue than most people realize. It is very strong, for a variety of reasons, in pro wrestling and other forms of entertainment due to the extreme highs and lows of performing, the fleeting nature fame and the pressure of performing.
John Lauriniatis: WWE knew of Ashley Massaro’s rape claim in todays Wrestling news, Chatalong Chatbox, Results will be Hidden inside a spoiler Button so you will not bet spoiled about direct results.
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