Apr 13, 2021
Deshaun Watson s attorney, Rusty Hardin, revealed that one woman has dropped her civil lawsuit against the Texans quarterback, NFL Network s Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday.
“We believe we have names for 20 of the 22 lawsuits, Hardin said. We’ve got one dismissed and we’re looking for one (name).”
Last week in two separate hearings, state district Judge Dedra Davis granted Watson s attorney a request to identify one of the 22 plaintiffs. A second judge made the same determination in the cases of 12 other women Friday afternoon. Later that same day, the attorneys came to an agreement to release a 14th name.
The 22 women accuse Watson of exposing himself, touching them with his penis or kissing them against their will while he got a massage. At least one woman has alleged Watson forced her to perform oral sex. All of the women are either licensed massage therapists or worked in a spa or similar business.
At a news conference Friday afternoon, Hardin said that during some of the massages “some sexual activity would have taken place” but 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.”
4 women suing NFL star Deshaun Watson ordered to refile complaints with real names
FILE - Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks during a news conference following an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., in this Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, file photo. It s a sad time for Houston sports fans after multiple superstars have left he city in the last year. Things could get even worse soon after Deshaun Watson requested a trade amid continued turmoil with the Texans. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga, File via CNN)
by: Chris Boyette, Hollie Silverman and Jennifer Henderson, CNN
Four women suing NFL star Deshaun Watson ordered to refile complaints with real names
At two separate emergency court hearings Friday, Harris County judges ruled that four of Deshaun Watson’s accusers must refile their lawsuits under their real names.
Attorney Tony Buzbee had filed the lawsuits on behalf of women who are listed in each suit as “Jane Doe.”
More than 20 women have filed lawsuits claiming misconduct. Watson has denied any wrongdoing.
A judge at a morning hearing considered one lawsuit.
Rusty Hardin and other attorneys for Watson had filed a motion Thursday claiming the Houston Texans quarterback could not mount a proper legal defense without knowing who his accuser is and accusing Buzbee of “conducting discovery by Facebook and trial by press conference.”
Hours before the news conference, Judge Dedra Davis granted Hardin’s motion and ordered attorney Tony Buzbee to turn over the names of 13 accusers.
Hours before Hardin’s press conference, two judges ruled that the names of 13 of the 22 women who have filed lawsuits accusing against Watson will be made public, according to a report from the Associated Press.
Hardin argued the use of anonymous lawsuits violates state law and is asking that all the names be released. How in the world are we supposed to respond if we don’t know the names of the people? Hardin said. We’re not supposed to have to guess who is accusing us of doing something wrong.