WWE's Vince McMahon Paid Millions In Hush Money To 4 Women: WSJ

STAMFORD, CT — Vince McMahon, former CEO and chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., reportedly paid more than $12 million to multiple women in order to silence allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

The Journal's report details how the payouts went to four women formerly associated with the WWE. In addition to receiving money from McMahon, the women also signed agreements prohibiting them from legal action or discussing their relationships with the 76-year-old mogul.

McMahon stepped aside as CEO and chairman of WWE in June after its board formally launched an investigation into misconduct by McMahon and John Laurinaitis, WWE's general manager of talent relations.

McMahon's departure came after an earlier Wall Street Journal detailed "a secret $3 million settlement" he agreed to pay to a former employee "with whom he allegedly had an affair."

The newly-surfaced payments include a $7.5 million agreement with a former wrestler who claimed McMahon forced her to give him oral sex, the Journal reported. The former wrestler claims he also demoted her and decided not to renew her contract after she resisted his advances.

Other payments involved a WWE contractor and former manager, according to the Journal.

Last month, WWE and its board of directors released a joint statement announcing the launch of the investigation.

"McMahon has voluntarily stepped back from his responsibilities as CEO and Chairman of the Board until the conclusion of the investigation," the joint statement said. "McMahon will retain his role and responsibilities related to WWE's creative content during this period and remains committed to cooperating with the review underway."

McMahon's daughter, Stephanie, who recently announced a leave of absence from the Stamford-based company, was named interim CEO and chairwoman.

Read more via The Wall Street Journal