Deshaun Watson did have sexual encounters with some of his massage therapists, but they were all consensual, his attorney said at a press conference on Friday as his client faces sexual misconduct lawsuits from 22 different women.
‘Were there consensual encounters? Yes,’ Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, said Friday.
As Hardin explained, Watson reached out for legitimate massage therapy, and on occasion, engaged in sexual activity with these masseuses. Hardin did not put a number on the frequency of the sexual encounters.
‘On some occasions, some sexual activities would have taken place,’ Hardin said. ‘I’m not going into what it is or the nature or the numbers or with whom but I think you can rightfully assume that.
‘Never at any time, under any circumstances… did this young man ever engage in anything that was not mutually desired by the other party.’
The plaintiffs, most of who work as massage therapists or in other similar professions, filed separate lawsuits as Jane Does last month, claiming that Watson exposed himself, attempted to coerce them into sex, and in some cases, touched them with his penis during private sessions. Two of the women also sued for sexual assault, claiming Watson forced them to perform oral sex on him.
Friday’s press conference came on the heels of two judges’ rulings, ordering 13 of Watson’s 22 accusers to identify themselves publicly. Nine of the women had already agreed to identify themselves by Wednesday, according to their attorney, Tony Buzbee. Two other accusers identified themselves publicly earlier this week, becoming the first to do so.
Hardin wanted the plaintiffs to identify themselves so his client can ‘have a chance at properly defending himself’ he told the court.
Buzbee argued against releasing their names, saying doing so could put their lives in danger. One of two accusers who made their names public during a news conference Tuesday has already received death threats, Buzbee said.
During the first of Friday’s court hearings, state District Judge Dedra Davis ordered that the lawsuit of one woman be refiled within two days with her name on it.
At a second hearing related to lawsuits filed by 12 other women, Buzbee told state District Judge Rabeea Collier that nine of the women had agreed to make their names public. Collier then ordered the other three to refile their lawsuits with their names included.
Court records show Hardin has filed motions asking that the seven remaining women who have not revealed their names also make their identities public.
During Friday’s hearings, Hardin accused Buzbee of using press conferences and social media to make coordinated attacks against Watson that the quarterback’s legal team could not fight because they don’t know the women’s identities.
Hardin said he sympathizes with the online attacks the accusers have faced, but that Watson has also suffered consequences, as he has been repeatedly called a rapist on social media.
‘Deshaun Watson is not responsible for third party crazies out there that abuse these women,’ Hardin said.
Hardin has called the claims against Watson ‘meritless’ and has alleged they were made following a failed attempt to blackmail his client for $30,000.
Buzbee asked both judges to keep the women’s names private, arguing that is common in sexual assault cases. Buzbee also suggested the women’s names could be released to Hardin and his legal team without being made public.
He said the women already have been accused of not being real or doing this only for money and that such attacks would grow if their names were revealed.
‘There’s been all these allegations against these women just hurled at them and then on social media they’re threatened with their own lives,’ Buzbee said.
Judge Davis said Buzbee’s legal team might be getting an unfair advantage because of his use of media coverage.
‘A balance of interests is required for both parties,’ Davis said.
Houston police and the NFL have said they are investigating the allegations against Watson, and Nike has suspended its endorsement contract with him.
In a recent email to season ticket holders, Texans chairman Cal McNair, whose family owns the team, said the team takes ‘these allegations very seriously.’
Watson led the NFL in yards passing last season. He signed a four-year, $156 million contract extension with the Texans last offseason, but he became unhappy with the direction of the team as Houston sunk to 4-12. Watson requested a trade in January.
