HPD pursues Watson probe
Texans quarterback accused of assault, faces 21 civil suits
Already facing a rash of civil lawsuits, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson now has been named in a criminal complaint, according to the Houston Police Department.
HPD confirmed it “is now conducting an investigation and will not comment further during the investigative process.”
The probe comes as the Texans quarterback faces 21 civil lawsuits from massage therapists or wellness professionals who allege he sexually assaulted or harassed them at various points during massage sessions in 2020 or 2021.
Watson and his attorney, Rusty Hardin, have denied the claims
Hardin, who has publicly chastised Watson’s accusers for not disclosing their names in the litigation, said his team will cooper
ate with police.
“We welcome this long overdue development,” Hardin said of the investigation. “Now we will learn the identity of at least one accuser.”
Houston attorney Tony Buzbee, who is representing the alleged victims in the civil lawsuits, pushed back against the criticism of the women, saying they are courageous in coming forward.
“It takes great strength to do what these women are doing,” he said.
“We are not only dealing with the future of a star quarterback, we are dealing with the physical health, mental health, safety, and well-being of courageous people who had the fortitude to step forward, although powerless, against the powerful.”
NFL investigating
On Friday, Buzbee said that he was aware of the criminal complaint filed Friday morning.
“I will also confirm that other criminal complaints will follow, as previously indicated, in Houston and in other jurisdictions and with other agencies,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Texans declined to comment on the criminal complaint, saying the team is waiting for the completion of the NFL’s investigation before making further statements.
“We are continuing to monitor all developments in the matter which remains under review of the Personal Conduct Policy,” said NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy, when asked about the investigation.
Social media ties
In the 21 civil lawsuits filed against Watson, most of the accusers say he reached out to them through social media to book massage appointments.
The football star was usually naked or wore a small towel instead of using the typical coverings, they said, and he became aggressive during the sessions, asking the women to massage him close to his penis or anus.
Several of the women allege that Watson purposefully moved himself so his penis touched their hands, and in other cases, they say he ejaculated on them.
In three instances, the women said he coerced or forced them to perform oral sex, according to the litigation.
Buzbee, a former mayoral candidate, is known for his personality and his multimillion-dollar settlements in prominent local cases.
Hardin, another prominent attorney, has represented a number of Houston sports stars in the past, including former Astros pitcher Roger Clemens.