Deshaun Watson’s lawyer is now firing back at the opposing attorney and trying to blow the doors open on his press conference that was held earlier today.
Rusty Hardin released a statement stating that the crying victim, Ashley Solis, had sought $100K for her silence before filing a lawsuit against the Houston Texans QB.
It reads as:
“At a press conference today, attorney Anthony Buzbee introduced the first plaintiff to the media. She identified herself as Ashley Solis. In her remarks, Ms. Solis stated: “People say that I’m doing this just for money. That is false.” Mr. Buzbee himself repeatedly claimed that the litigation he filed on behalf of other Jane Does “isn’t about money.”
At his initial press conference on March 19 announcing the first wave of lawsuits, Mr. Buzbee stated: “The case ain’t about money. And it’s certainly ain’t about seeking publicity or fame. I personally don’t need it. And these women don’t want it. This case is about female empowerment.”
In fact, according to the documentation below, Mr. Buzbee sought $100,000 in hush money on behalf of Ms. Solis to quietly settle the allegations the month before he filed the first lawsuit.
“My client’s demand is $100,000,” Buzbee associate Cornelia Brandfield-Harvey wrote in a February 9, 2021 email on behalf of Ms. Solis. Ms. Brandfield-Harvey followed up with a clarification of the $100,000 demand later that same day. “This offer remains open until Friday of this week.”
Mr. Buzbee is copied on all of the emails. The Watson representative who engaged in the discussions with Mr. Buzbee and his firm is Scott Gaffield, the General Counsel at the Athletes First agency of Laguna Beach.
On February 19, Mr. Gaffield responded to Mr. Buzbee and Ms. Brandfield-Harvey by inquiring about “the rationale behind the $100k demand” given that “we don’t believe that the alleged facts show that Deshaun did anything wrong….”
Mr. Buzbee responded that same morning: “We made a legit demand. You rejected it. We won’t be making another or bid against ourselves.” He then added: “This is Houston, Texas.
Perhaps you should find him a lawyer here so you can apprise both you and your client of the landscape here and who you are dealing with.” In a written statement, Mr. Gaffield said: “My email exchanges with Mr. Buzbee and Ms. Brandfield-Harvey were very clear.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
We did not think that the facts showed that Deshaun did anything wrong with their client. We believed then – and fully believe now – that Deshaun learned a lesson about putting himself in this type of situation by interacting with people he does not know.
As the emails show, we were willing to continue discussions on Deshaun’s behalf to explore ways to prevent a lawsuit and a public spectacle. But Mr. Buzbee informed us that he was unwilling to do so. We expect that this matter will be resolved in court.”
Attorney Tony Buzbee had previously said “important and significant developments in the Deshaun Watson case” will be addressed during a news conference on Tuesday.
In the first few minutes of the presser, Buzbee introduced the first woman who filed against Watson.
Ashley Solice was the first person who sued Deshaun Watson.
“I hope my story gives them courage to speak out. It has taken me a long time to speak my truth. I was afraid. I’m not afraid anymore. I’m here to take back the power and take back control. I’m a survivor of assault and harassment.”
“It has taken me a long time to get to this point … I’m here to take back the power, take back control. … Deshaun Watson assaulted and harassed me … in my own home.”
Twenty-two civil lawsuits have been filed against the Houston Texans quarterback so far. The lawsuits were filed over the last three weeks with all of the women accusing him of sexual misconduct or assault.
Last Friday, the Houston Police Department said a criminal complaint had been filed with their department concerning Watson.
“As with any allegation, the Houston Police Department is now conducting an investigation and will not comment further during the investigative process,” HPD said in a statement.
