In light of recent reports that Vince McMahon also paid women hush money to keep misbehavior claims a secret, a wrestler is confirming an old accusation that the WWE CEO sexually assaulted a female referee in his vehicle in 1986.
The thorn in the side of the wrestling industry’s titan, McMahon has run WWE for decades, taking over after his father and building it into the multi-billion dollar business it is today.
He resigned from his position as CEO earlier this month after being accused of giving female employees hush money. He allegedly offered a paralegal $3 million when their affair ended, according to one claim.
An earlier, more serious allegation has resurfaced in response to the accusations.
The first female referee in the WWE, Rita Chatterton, who is now 64 years old, came forward in 1992 to accuse McMahon of raping her in his limo in 1986.
Former wrestler Leonard Inzitari has since confirmed her claim, claiming to have seen Chatterton after the alleged incident.
“I recall it as if it were yesterday.” She was a total mess. She trembled. According to Inzitari, who competed under the ring name Mario Mancini, she was sobbing, according to Intelligencer.
He claimed he had concealed it for many years out of concern for McMahon and his family, who run the business.
He has dug himself such a hole that I’m simply fed up with it. He announced his decision to speak out at this time by saying, “I can’t do it anymore.”
According to Inzitari, Chatterton sobbed as she described how McMahon “pulled his penis out,” made her engage in oral sex with him, and then forced himself “within” of her.
You just keep your mouth shut, because it’s Vince McMahon, he recalled telling her. What are you going to do, Vince McMahon’s stooge? You’ll lose your job in the wrestling industry!
For numerous years, Chatterton withheld her claim from the general public.
She didn’t make the accusation until she made an appearance on Geraldo Rivera’s TV program in 1992.
He hasn’t yet responded to it.
She claims that McMahon offered her a contract for a $500,000 annual salary to referee on-screen after giving her her first significant officiating position in 1975.
She admitted that she was aware of the enormous sum of money at the time but had no idea how much the wrestlers were paid.
She informed Intelligencer that McMahon had warned her to “keep things clean” and not associate with any of the wrestlers.
You shouldn’t play around with any of the wrestlers, in my opinion. You maintain a professional air.
She described how, on the night she claims McMahon sexually assaulted her, she had asked him if they could talk about her job prospects in her 1992 interview with Rivera.
After dining out with a bigger party, they climbed into his limousine to have a private conversation outside.
She claimed that the limo driver got out of the car.
He starts mentioning a contract of $500,000 per year.
When I look up, Vince McMahon is taking his pants off.
“If you want a half-million-dollar deal, you’re going to have to satisfy me, and this is the way things have to go,” Vince added.
Vince seized my hand and insisted that I keep touching him. I was terrified. My wrist ended up being completely purple, black, and blue. It’s just that… He only… God, he just kept going.
She cried as she continued, “This dude just wouldn’t quit.”
“Vince McMahon pushed me to have oral sex with him.” He became really irate when I couldn’t fulfill his expectations, started pulling off my jeans, pushed me onto him, and repeated that I had to do it if I wanted a contract for half a million dollars each year.
He had the power to make or break me, and if I didn’t live up to his expectations, I was done.
She asserted that he warned her not to interfere with any of the wrestlers and that he had said this to her later. You simply did.
Chatterton claimed that following this, McMahon ceased hiring her for employment.
Back then, McMahon refuted her assertions.
He filed a lawsuit against her and Rivera, claiming that they were out to get him and that his enemies were behind it. Both sides lost the case, thus it was dismissed.
Jerry McDevitt, his longtime counsel, did not return calls on Wednesday afternoon.
He also hasn’t responded to the claims that McMahon paid ex-employees hush money.
The claims are currently being looked into by the WWE board, which is primarily made up of members of the McMahon family.
His wife Linda, who oversaw the Small Business Administration while Trump was president, has likewise been silent.
Since 2009, McMahon has led the multibillion-dollar business as CEO. His estimated net worth is $2 billion.
The claims state that McMahon initially paid the paralegal $100,000 before increasing it to $200,000 after they began having sex.
She claims that he then “passed her like a toy” to WWE’s chief of talent, John Laurinaitis.