Earlier this week, Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee, who has now brought a total of sixteen lawsuits against Deshaun Watson, said he’ll be releasing a copy of an NDA Watson allegedly asked massage therapists to sign sometimes before and after sessions.
“Alleged sexual misconduct is serious. Attempting to criminalize or minimize those that speak out or step forward is wrong. I have been asked to respond to a released statement by Mr. Watson’s counsel.”
“My first reaction is that there have been so many massage sessions from Instagram that Mr. Watson can’t keep track of them—recall he, on Twitter, initially criticized me and denied everything. I can’t tell you how many people have stepped forward to report similar conduct or provide information.”
Buzbee continued: “That info will be released, again in public filings—not in the media. My second reaction is a question: why would his marketing agent admit Watson had sex for pay with a massage therapist, consensual or otherwise?”
“We will also provide a copy of the non-disclosure agreement that Deshaun Watson and his marketing manager repeatedly insisted that Jane Doe (and others) sign after (and sometimes before) the “massage session,” which she refused to sign.
I do appreciate Mr. Hardin’s professionalism and his words of support for victims, but would respectfully suggest there are many facts here, that we will put in public filings, that Mr. Hardin might not be aware of. We will provide additional details in a statement, consistent with our ethical obligations in due course. I’m hoping we can do so by Friday.”
This week, sources shared with KPRC 2 in Houston a copy of the non-disclosure agreement that Deshaun Watson sent to one of his accusers.
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“If you are an A-list celeb or a top jock, it’s not out of the question for you to want to keep your business off of social media,” said KPRC 2 legal analyst Brian Wice, referring to the non-disclosure agreement. “Most people might not think it’s common for someone to sign an NDA when they walk into a massage booth, but if you are an A-list celebrity or top athlete you want to make sure that what you do stays off of the 24-hour news cycle.”
Wice calls the document that sources say Watson sent to one of the massage therapists, “amateur hour.”
“With all due respect, it appeared to me that someone merely downloaded a standard non-disclosure agreement off of the internet or maybe they went to NDAs R’ Us,” Wice said. “Nothing stands out about this NDA.”
The sources told KPRC a massage therapist asked Watson for a signed copy of the non-disclosure agreement she had signed. Watson only provided her a blank document without her or Watson’s signatures.
“There is no law that requires it, but I would think that as any competent ethical lawyer you would want to make sure that you had a copy,” Wice said. “The only exception being if, at the end of the day, there is something not quite kosher about it. Maybe you don’t want that extra signed copy circling.”
16 women have filed suit against the Houston Texans quarterback, but no more have came out since Tuesday.
