Attorney says Deshaun Watson sometimes had consensual sexual encounters with massage therapists
Attorney Rusty Hardin held a press conference on Friday to offer an update on the 22 civil lawsuits filed against Houston Texans quarterback and client Deshaun Watson alleging he committed acts of sexual assault and misconduct.
Per Robert Littal of BSO Entertainment and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Hardin admitted that Watson says massages with women sometimes resulted in consensual sexual encounters:
Watson continues to deny all the allegations:
Following rulings delivered on Friday, it's now assumed that all 22 women will have to reveal their identities in new filings to continue with their cases. Ashley Solis and Lauren Baxley unveiled their names during a Tuesday press conference hosted by lawyer Tony Buzbee, who is representing the plaintiffs against Watson. At least eight others are already willing to put their names on lawsuits.
Hardin and Buzbee have agreed that the lawsuits will be consolidated into one case. Hardin also said the plan as of Friday afternoon is to go to trial and not enter settlement talks:
It was previously believed some of the remaining anonymous women could attempt to settle, in part to keep their identities hidden from the public.
Both the Houston Police Department and NFL are investigating allegations made against the 25-year-old signal-caller. Even if Watson earns victories in court or settles, he could be suspended through the NFL's personal conduct policy or made ineligible for at least a portion of the 2021 season via the commissioner's exempt list.
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