Vince McMahon
McMahon.Ethan Miller/Getty Images
  • Vince McMahon was accused of rape by Rita Chatterton in 1992.

  • Chatterton's allegations are true, according to Leonard Inzitari, a former pro wrestler.

  • McMahon stepped away from his role as CEO as a result of the investigations.

A former wrestler claims that the allegations of rape made by the first female referee in the history of the World Wrestling Entertainment are true.

Leonard Inzitari said that Rita Chatterton's allegations were true. He claimed to Abe Riesman in a New York Magazine article. "Ringmaster" is a book written by Riesman about McMahon.

It is the first time a wrestler has backed up a claim.

Chatterton accused McMahon of raping her in his limo in 1986. The statute of limitations for rape had expired when Chatterton declined to press charges.

Chatterton allegedly told Inzitari in 1986 what had happened. Chatterton cried in front of Inzitari before a WWF show, he claimed.

According to Inzitari, Chatterton told him that McMahon had taken his penis out. Inzitari said that McMahon pulled him on top of him and then was inside her.

Insider did not get a response from the company or McMahon. McMahon's lawyer didn't respond to a request for comment from Insider on McMahon's behalf. Inzitari didn't say anything to Insider.

Chatterton told Riesman that he was willing to take the case but knew it would be difficult. I didn't go to the hospital after taking a shower, so it was my word against McMahon. I was afraid. The man was powerful. I was going to be under him.

Chatterton made her claim public. According to Riesman, McMahon called the accusation false after an interview, but the WWF didn't comment on it.

McMahon and his wife, Linda, sued Chatterton, Rivera, and members of Rivera's production team, claiming that they were part of a conspiracy to make a false accusation of rape. Riesman said that the lawsuit was dropped.

McMahon stepped away from his role as the company's chief executive and chairman while the company's board investigated him and the company's head of talent relations over allegations of improper conduct.

McMahon said in a statement that he would do everything he could to support the investigation. Whatever the outcome of the investigation, I will accept it.

McMahon is still in charge of the company's content. His daughter and the brand chief of the company took over.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that the board of the company was looking into payments McMahon made to former female employees who had accused McMahon of sexual harassment. According to The Journal, the payments prevented them from talking about the agreements.

The board got a tip about a $3 million payment to a former female paralegal that McMahon is alleged to have had an affair with.

McMahon's relationship with the former paralegal was consensual, according to a wrestler's spokesman. According to his attorney, the paralegal didn't claim any harassment against McMahon and that the company didn't pay any money to her.

Business Insider has an article on it.