Deshaun Watson’s legal professional, Rusty Hardin, has filed a movement requesting that the Harris County District Courtroom mandate the nameless plaintiffs suing Deshaun Watson to establish themselves.
Two of the 22 plaintiffs who’ve filed civil lawsuits alleging sexual harassment and assault towards Watson publicly recognized themselves earlier this week at a information convention. They shared tales of their interactions with the Texans quarterback.
The opposite 20 have filed lawsuits the place they’re recognized as “Jane Doe.”
“We’ve mentioned this earlier than and we wish to say it once more: Deshaun didn’t drive, coerce or intimidate anybody to do something towards their will,” Hardin mentioned in a press release. “After we requested [Houston lawyer Tony] Buzbee to establish his shoppers weeks in the past, he refused and advised us to file a movement. In the present day we filed that movement.”
“As mentioned in our submitting, Mr. Buzbee’s use of nameless lawsuits violates Texas regulation and the fundamental idea of equity. It’s clear that, for Mr. Buzbee, this case has by no means been about looking for justice in a courtroom, however destroying Deshaun’s popularity to improve his personal public profile and enrich himself. Whereas I perceive that anonymity usually is used as a protect for victims, Mr. Buzbee is utilizing it as a sword.”
Hardin’s office has also previously published a press release with the accounts of what it says are 18 feminine therapeutic massage therapists who “are voluntarily issuing statements in assist of Deshaun—with their names connected.”
On Wednesday, Nike grew to become the primary firm to droop its endorsement of Watson amid the lawsuits. Front Office Sports reported that Beats by Dre was additionally parting methods with Watson. Reliant Power mentioned in a press release it might not be persevering with its relationship with Watson as a model ambassador. Supermarket chain H-E-B also told Houston’s ABC13 its relationship with Watson ended with the Texans’ 2020 season.
A Therapeutic massage Therapist on Her Session With Deshaun Watson
Watson and Hardin have beforehand denied the allegations, which explicitly cite occasions courting way back to March 30, 2020, and as latest as March 5, 2021.
Buzbee mentioned Tuesday that two girls, together with Ashley Solis, who was one of many two girls to go public earlier this week, have gone to the Houston Police Division to make legal complaints towards Watson. Final Friday, the department released a statement saying a report concerning Watson had been filed and that police have been investigating.
Earlier this week, Texans proprietor Cal McNair wrote in a letter to season-ticket holders that the group is taking the allegations of assault towards Watson “very significantly,” and can company with the HPD and NFL’s investigations into Watson’s conduct.
