An attorney for 22 women who have filed lawsuits accusing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and harassment said Wednesday that he and some of his clients have spoken to the FBI about the case. Tony Buzbee said that the FBI “reached out to me, and I responded.”
In their lawsuits, the 22 women accuse Watson of exposing himself, touching them with his penis or kissing them against their will during massage appointments.
Watson’s lawyers have said “some sexual activity” happened during some of the appointments but that he never coerced anyone.
At a news conference Wednesday, Rusty Hardin, Watson’s lead attorney, said FBI agents approached him earlier this year over allegations that one of the women who has sued Watson tried to extort $30,000 from him. The woman alleges Watson forced her to perform oral sex.
At his news conference, Hardin read what he said were text messages to Watson from the woman he is accusing of extortion.
According to Hardin, the woman said in one text, “Hey Deshaun just wanted to say thank you for trusting me with your massage today. I’ll be here til Jan. 3 if you’d like to get another one.”
Hardin said that in another text, the woman wrote, “I just want to say I apologize for my actions. That was not me. And if I could take back that moment I would. I really devalued my integrity and professionalism.”
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Buzbee said he had no plans to settle the lawsuits.
“We’re going to have a trial. I’m pretty sure that (Hardin) against me, I’m feeling quite confident,” he said.
As far as his football career, Watson’s future with the Texans remains unclear.
