Adding Insult to Injury, the Feds Slap Vince McMahon with a Search Warrant and a Subpoena as He Recovers from Spinal Surgery

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As a general rule, I'm a big believer in Deontological Ethics, which state that one set of rules must apply to all situations. So, for example, the Free Speech of everyone must be defended, even that of people you'd prefer never to hear from. And regardless of the harm that results. "Let justice be done, though the heavens fall," and all that. 

But sticking to that philosophy can be a difficult path. For instance, when said rules are applied to someone worthy of our universal respect, admiration, and even love. Someone like America's greatest businessman and entertainer, Vince McMahon. Especially during what is perhaps the most difficult time in his life since he was nearly murdered in his hospital bed by Stone Cold Steve Austin in the late '90s:

Sadly though, even the world's most accomplished titan of sports-entertainment is not immune from grave misfortune:

Source - Federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant and served a federal grand jury subpoena to WWE Executive Chairman Vince McMahon last month, according to a regulatory filing. McMahon is also taking medical leave from the sports entertainment company following recent spinal surgery.

WWE said in the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that while government investigations into McMahon remain ongoing, no charges have been brought in them. …

The Wall Street Journal had reported last year that the WWE was investigating an alleged $3 million payment from McMahon to a departing female employee following a consensual affair. WWE’s investigation into the misconduct allegations was completed last year.

Sad. Just terribly, terribly sad. When it rains, it pours. Even on the rich and the powerful. 

Getting back to the matter of deontology, I get that it's a bedrock principle of American life that no one is above the law. But shouldn't this man be? How can we apply the same ethical and legal standard to him that we do to the rest of us common folk? He's spent decades running an empire that has brought joy to millions. That should count for something. Hell, Napoleon was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands, but all the British did when they defeated him was stick him on an island he could easily escape from. Why? Because they respected him. Mr. McMahon deserves at least that much consideration. 

And what's his crime here? A consensual affair with a female employee that resulted in him giving her $3 million? Sounds like a win/win if ever I've heard of one. After all, this is a man who had women moving heaven and Earth for the chance to be his assistant:

And maybe there were some other financial crimes or something. Who knows? But it's not like he's hard up for cash:

In the words of the great Ern McCracken put it when he won the Odor Eaters championship, "I've finally got enough money that I can buy my way out of anything! I can do whatever I want and I'll get myself a lawyer, and I'll walk! Finally Big Ern is above the law!" Vince McMahon is in the same boat. And probably has the same ethics. It's time to leave him alone. Stop wasting the taxpayers' money. Let him recover from his surgery. And most of all, let him get back in the ring, since this will be perhaps the greatest story line he's ever been involved in.