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.”
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Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson has been accused by 22 women of sexual assault and harassment.
By JUAN A. LOZANOAssociated Press
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HOUSTON A judge on Friday ordered that the name of one of the 22 women who have filed lawsuits accusing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and harassment must be made public.
Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, has asked that all the women, who have sued under the name Jane Doe, be publicly identified so his client can “have a chance at properly defending himself.” Hardin has called the claims against Watson “meritless” and that the NFL player “did not force, coerce or intimidate anyone to do anything against their will.”
Judge orders one accuser of Texans QB Watson to be ID d
by Juan A. Lozano, The Associated Press
Posted Apr 9, 2021 10:54 am EDT
Last Updated Apr 9, 2021 at 10:58 am EDT
HOUSTON A judge on Friday ordered that the name of one of the 22 women who have filed lawsuits accusing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and harassment must be made public.
Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, has asked that all the women, who have sued under the name Jane Doe, be publicly identified so his client can “have a chance at properly defending himself.” Hardin has called the claims against Watson “meritless” and that the NFL player “did not force, coerce or intimidate anyone to do anything against their will.”
By: Associated Press
A judge on Friday ordered that the name of one of the 22 women who have filed lawsuits accusing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and harassment must be made public.
Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, has asked that all the women, who have sued under the name Jane Doe, be publicly identified so his client can “have a chance at properly defending himself.” Hardin has called the claims against Watson “meritless” and that the NFL player “did not force, coerce or intimidate anyone to do anything against their will.”
During a Zoom court hearing over one of the lawsuits, Hardin accused Tony Buzbee, the lawyer representing the 22 women, of using their anonymity to “kill the reputation of our client.”
Deshaun Watson DID have sex with massage therapists - but his attorney says it was consensual as the Texans QB faces lawsuits from 22 women
Deshaun Watson did have sexual interactions with some masseuses, but those encounters were all consensual, his attorney Rusty Hardin said Friday
As Hardin explained, the 25-year-old 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, but did estimate his client gets between 120 and 150 professional massages a year
Thirteen of the 22 women suing Watson for sexual misconduct will be identified publicly, a Harris County (Texas) court has ruled earlier on Friday