Deshaun Watson’s Attorney Releases Response to 22 Plaintiffs
Deshaun Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, responded to the 22 lawsuits against his client. The statement states that Watson’s legal team has found evidence that many of the allegations in these cases are false or incorrect.
Since March, 23 lawsuits were filed against Watson accusing him of misconduct and sexual assault. One accuser has temporarily dropped her lawsuit due to privacy and security concerns, as stated in court documents.
The response claims that the lawsuits against Watson contain many inaccuracies regarding his behavior.
The document states that these lawsuits include misleading, fraudulent, and slanderous claims. It is important to note that only two out of the twenty-two lawsuits accuse Mr. Watson of forcing any form of sexual activity, an allegation he strongly denies.
Breaking Down The Allegations
Watson’s legal response claims that after eight of the plaintiffs provided massages to Watson, they all spoke highly of and expressed excitement about their experience. The document also states that seven plaintiffs willingly continued to work with or offered to work with Watson after the alleged incidents. Additionally, three plaintiffs provided false information about the number of sessions they had with Watson, three plaintiffs fabricated their trauma and resulting harm, and five plaintiffs informed others of their intentions to obtain financial compensation from Watson.
Moreover, the response provides a thorough refutation of the accusations made by many of the women who filed lawsuits against Watson. Out of the 22 plaintiffs, the legal team specifically addresses the claims made by 16 of them.
“Mr. Watson has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and we firmly stand by his innocence,” stated Hardin in a Monday afternoon release. “Thus, we unequivocally affirm that all 22 plaintiffs are making false claims regarding the allegations of sexual misconduct by Mr. Watson.”
“The allegations made in Defendant’s response are false and lacking substance. Watson’s actions of seeking out numerous women for massages on Instagram, insisting on being unclothed, engaging in the massage sessions, and seeking more than just a massage cannot be denied. While he claims any sexual acts were consensual, his definition of ‘consent’ differs from others. The truth will be determined through the court process as these matters unfold.”
Watson’s Direct Reaction
Before this legal answer, Watson’s lone comments came when he posted a statement on Twitter. He claimed to not have seen the lawsuit. However, he had previously declined an unfounded request for a large settlement amount.
“I have always treated women with utmost respect,” stated Watson.
The NFL Conducts Its Own Investigation
The NFL is investigating Watson for potential misconduct. Earlier this month, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy called the allegations against the quarterback “deeply disturbing.”
More news will come out regarding what’s to come for Deshaun Watson.
