US Attorney pauses Janel Grant case to conduct its own investigation

The US Attorney in Connecticut has intervened in the Janel Grant-Vince McMahon lawsuit. As a result, the case has been stayed for 6 months.

While there’s no confirmation on what the US Attorney is looking at, one has to believe it will deal with the allegations that McMahon is liable for criminal conduct. Grant accuses McMahon of sexual trafficking and sexual misconduct. The former would be a potential crime. Moreover, his payouts made to multiple women will likely be scrutinized. Federal authorities seized McMahon’s cell phone last year which may be a reason for intervening during this case.

The US Attorney stepping in and pausing the civil case is done for a couple reasons. The first is to protect his right not to incriminate himself which is his Fifth Amendment right. If the civil case were to go forward and he were to take the 5th during a deposition or at trial, it could be used as a negative tacit admission. Obviously, if the US Attorney finds evidence suggesting that McMahon may have violated laws, it could assist Grant’s case (depending on what it is).

I don’t believe that Grant had a real choice here. The US Attorney wanted to step in before fact discovery and deposition so it could conduct its own investigation on the matters.

Whatever the reason, the intervention by the US Attorney is not a good thing for McMahon who may now face criminal charges in addition to the allegations lodge by Grant.