The law firm that points to the case notes that lawsuits against the quarterback continue to increase
the lawyer Tony Buzbee said during a press conference on Friday that it will file 5:00 additional lawsuits against Deshaun Watson “At the right time,” he elevates the total number of cases to 12 for inappropriate behavior and sexual assault by Texan field marshal.
Buzbee also said he has spoken with “More than 10 additional women” who have reported similar Watson behavior.
Tony Buzbee said Watson’s alleged misconduct happened as recently as this month, which was after the first time Buzbee said he spoke with Watson’s attorney, Scott Gaffield. Since then, Watson has hired attorney Rusty Hardin.
Buzbee said Friday that his office has contacted police and will provide him with information about the women they intend to sue Watson. He also said he is not aware of any police report filed before the civil lawsuits.
“This will be our next step,” Buzbee said.
The Houston Police Department, however, said in a statement posted to Twitter on Friday that “at this time, HPD is not aware of any contact between HPD and Houston attorney Tony Buzbee regarding the allegations contained in its recently filed lawsuits and there are no reports of incidents with respect to these in our jurisdiction “.
Buzbee said Watson’s representatives have known about the allegations for more than a month.
“In fact, we had contact with Los Angeles agent / lawyer DeShaun Watson, who downplayed these allegations, and didn’t take them seriously,” Buzbee said. “We wanted to resolve this issue without a lawsuit, without publicity. We knew that once we filed a lawsuit, Texas, of course, has a court provision open to the constitution, so all lawsuits are public. We wanted to avoid that. “.
Hardin issued a statement Friday saying the allegations against Watson are “unfounded.”
“I am extremely proud to represent DeShaun Watson and fully support him against what we believe are baseless allegations,” Hardin’s statement said. “However, we will wait to comment in detail until we have completed our review of Mr Buzbee’s numerous evolving allegations. We will respond next week and ask him to keep an open mind until we do.”
Following Buzbee’s announcement of the first lawsuit on Tuesday, Watson responded in Twitter saying he rejected “an unfounded six-figure settlement claim” and that it was “to clear my name, and I hope to do so.” At the time of his statement, Watson said he had not seen the first lawsuit.
“I have never treated any woman with anything other than the utmost respect,” Watson said in his statement.
At Friday’s press conference, Buzbee said one of the women said Watson was him or her by a Texas fitness trainer, while another woman said Watson came to her by Quincy Avery, the personal quarterback coach and Watson physical trainer.
Buzbee said when he filed the first lawsuit Tuesday night, he represented only two women. Since then, the other women have introduced themselves.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Thursday that “the matter is under review” of the league’s personal conduct policy, and the Texans said they would remain in close contact with the NFL during the league’s investigation. Buzbee said he has had no contact with the Texans and that the only contact with the NFL has been the letter he received from Lisa Friel, the league’s special investigative attorney.
Buzbee has yet to respond directly to the NFL’s request to interview him and his clients, league sources told Ed Werder of ESPN, Although he promised cooperation at his press conference. The NFL protocol would also involve a possible interview with Watson.
Under the terms of the NFL’s personal conduct policy, Watson could be punished if the league determines that the allegations are true, regardless of the outcome in court, but a source told Werder that it is premature to discuss what the accusations could mean for Watson’s future.
While it has been speculated that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell could place Watson on the exemption list, it is not believed to be a current option because the NFL low season has begun and this process was designed to eliminate players facing possible disciplinary action from practices and games.
The seven lawsuits filed so far represent a pattern of sexual assault against masseurs in the Houston area. A woman alleges she was forced to have oral sex during the course of the massage. Six of the lawsuits allege that these were unique encounters with Watson, but one woman alleges that Watson sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions. This lawsuit says the first massage was booked through the spa where the beautician worked. The other six lawsuits allege that Watson first asked about the massage through direct messages from Instagram.
Three of the four lawsuits filed Thursday night accuse him of inappropriate contact; the fourth said he tried to forcefully kiss a woman.
“Watson’s behavior is part of a disruptive pattern of taking advantage of vulnerable women,” says the fourth lawsuit.
All the women who have filed lawsuits against Watson so far have done so anonymously. Many of them allege that they felt intimidated by his physical height and his status as an NFL quarterback.
Buzbee said Friday that three of the women representing his law firm “are in intensive care as a result of the defendant’s conduct.”
Watson’s agent, David Mulugheta, published in Twitter Friday.
“Sexual assault is real. Victims must be heard, offenders must be prosecuted,” he posted on Friday. “People invent stories in search of financial gain often. Their victims need to be heard and these criminals also need to be prosecuted. I just hope we keep that same energy with the truth.”