FBI investigates allegations related to Texans quarterback

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HOUSTON (AP) A lawyer for 22 women who have filed lawsuits accusing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and harassment said on Wednesday that he and some of his clients had spoken to the FBI about the case.

Tony Buzbee told The Associated Press that the FBI contacted me and I responded. The FBI involvement was first reported on Tuesday by League of Justice, a website that deals with sports and the law.

Buzbee’s revelation of the FBI’s involvement prompted Watson’s senior attorney to hold a press conference on Wednesday to say the FBI spoke with the quarterback earlier this year about allegations of extortion by one of his accusers.

In their trials, the 22 women accuse Watson of exposing himself, touching them with his penis or kissing them against their will during massage dates.

Watson and his lawyers have denied the charges. His lawyers said sexual activity occurred during some of the dates, but he never coerced anyone.

Houston Police are investigating some of the charges, but no charges have been laid. The NFL has launched its own probe.

In a press conference Wednesday, Rusty Hardin, Watson’s senior attorney, said FBI agents approached him in April over allegations that one of the women who pursued Watson attempted to extort him. $ 000. Hardin said officers questioned Watson. The woman alleges that Watson forced her to perform oral sex.

In an email, Christina Garza, spokeswoman for the FBI office in Houston, said she could neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation.

Hardin said subpoenas to appear before the grand jury were sent as part of the investigation by local authorities, but he does not know the details of them.

When the investigation (of the prosecutors) is completed, their findings will be presented to a grand jury. We will have the opportunity to appear… to express our point of view and we will have a fair hearing, ”Hardin said.

Hardin said he welcomed the role of the FBI in this matter. But he also criticized Buzbee for revealing the agency’s involvement, saying FBI investigations are generally kept confidential.

Buzbee knows these lawsuits have no long-term future, Hardin said. What he wants is to be out there and promote himself and the lawsuits and try to get Deshaun to settle them and pay them money so he can ride until sunset. .

Buzbee denied he was looking for publicity or money and accused Hardin of trying to change the narrative and trying to defend the indefensible.

At his press conference, Hardin read what he said were text messages to Watson from the woman he accuses of extortion. In those, she does not mention an alleged attack on December 28, 2020, during a massage session, Hardin said.

According to Hardin, the woman said in a text, Hey Deshaun just wanted to say thank you for trusting me with your massage today. I’ll be there until January 3rd if you want to get another one.

Hardin said in another text the woman wrote, I just want to say I apologize for my actions. It was not me. And if I could take this moment back, I would. I really devalued my integrity and my professionalism. “

Buzbee accused Hardin of attacking the women who pursued Watson.

Deshaun Watson has a problem and his attorney is not focusing on it, Buzbee said. He’s focused on trying to attack me or my clients and I’m sick of it.

Watsons lawyers have sought to balance their defense of the NFL star while simultaneously condemning sexual violence against women.

But Watsons’ attorneys called the lawsuits against him money theft and hit back by claiming that the 22 women who brought the lawsuit are lying, a strategy some experts and advocates say relies on tropes long used to downplay. such accusations. Buzbee said some of his clients have been criticized and even threatened with death.

Buzbee said he did not intend to settle the lawsuits.

Were going to have a trial. I’m pretty sure (Hardin) against me, I feel pretty confident, he said.

Watson’s future with the Texans remains uncertain. Watson showed up to the Texans’ training camp last month to avoid a fine. Watson signed a four-year, $ 160 million contract extension with the Texans in 2020 and led the NFL in passing yards last season. But before the lawsuits were filed, he had asked to be traded.

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Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70

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