World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. Chairman Vince McMahon appears in the ring during the WWE Monday Night Raw show at the Thomas & Mack Center August 24, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant on World Wrestling Entertainment boss Vince McMahon last month and served him with a federal grand jury subpoena, the company disclosed Wednesday.
The actions represent an escalation of an ongoing investigation into allegations that McMahon paid millions of dollars over the years to women after being accused of sexual misconduct.
WWE also revealed Wednesday that McMahon "went on medical leave after undergoing major spinal surgery."
McMahon's leave began July 21, and he will "remain on medical leave until further notice but will remain Executive Chairman" of WWE, the company said in its quarterly report to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Reached for comment Wednesday, the company said it believes the subpoena and search warrant are "a continuation of the investigation that commenced last summer. WWE has cooperated throughout and fully understands and respects the government's need for a complete process."
McMahon, in a separate statement, told CNBC: "I have always denied any intentional wrongdoing and continue to do so. I am confident that the government's investigation will be resolved without any findings of wrongdoing."
In April, WWE agreed to merge with rival UFC to form a new publicly traded company controlled by Endeavor Group.
WWE and Endeavor both expect the deal to close in the second half of this year, WWE said Wednesday.
The search warrant and subpoena on July 17 came a year after news first broke that federal prosecutors and the SEC were investigating WWE and McMahon over his payments to women.