World enews: WWE Chief Vince McMahon agreed to pay more than $12m to four women to suppress sexual misconduct allegations

WWE Chief Vince McMahon agreed to pay more than $12m to four women to suppress sexual misconduct and infidelity allegations, a report has said.

The World Wrestling Entertainment boss made the payment to four women over the course of 16 years, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The women were previously affiliated with the organisation and have signed agreements that stop them from speaking about any possible legal claims against or their relationships with the 76-year-old, the paper reported.

One of the previously unknown deals includes a settlement worth $7.5m with a former wrestler who claims that Mr McMahon coerced her into performing oral sex and subsequently demoted her and refused to renew her contract in 2005 after she had pushed back against more sexual contact, according to people familiar with the issue, The Journal reported.

The people said that the wrestler, along with a lawyer, contacted Mr McMahon in 2018 and agreed on the payment for her to stay quiet.

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