NFL star Deshaun Watson’s attorney has repulsed the first of more than 20 of his accusers, Ashley Solis, claiming she asked for $ 100,000 in “hush money”.
22 women again submitted sexual assaults to the Houston Texans quarterback last month, including Solis, who on Tuesday alleged Watson acted inappropriately during massage therapy in March 2020.
9
Deshaun Watson’s attorney has alleged that one of his accusers asked for $ 100,000 in “hush money”.Photo credit: Getty
9
Ashley Solis claimed Tuesday that Watson acted inappropriately during massage therapy in March 2020Image credit: AP
Solis – previously identified as “Jane Doe” – added that Watson deliberately exposed himself and “deliberately” touched her with his penis, causing her to stop the massage and the 25-year-old apologizing for his actions.
The 22 women are represented by former Houston mayoral candidate Anthony Buzbee.
In a statement released Tuesday, Watson’s attorney Rusty Hardin wrote: “Mr Buzbee himself has made repeated claims that the lawsuit he has brought on behalf of another Jane Does not involve money.”
He added, “In fact, according to the filing below, Mr. Buzbee requested US $ 100,000 in hush money on behalf of Ms. Solis to silently resolve the allegations in the month prior to filing the first lawsuit.
HUSH MONEY CLAIMS
“‘My client’s demand is $ 100,000,” Buzbee employee Cornelia Bradfield-Harvey wrote in an email dated February 9, 2021 on behalf of Ms. Solis. Ms. Brandfied-Harvey later explained the $ 100,000 day demand. “This offer remains open until Friday of this week.” Mr. Buzbee is copied into all emails. “
In a response to Buzbee and Brandfield-Harvey on February 19, Gaffield, the general counsel of the Athletes First agency in Laguna Beach, wrote, “We don’t believe the alleged facts show that Deshaun did anything …” according to Hardins Statement.
Hardin also described the claims against his client as “unfounded”.
9
Solis, previously identified as Jane Doe, spoke to reporters during Tuesday’s press conferenceImage credit: AP
9
The massage therapist is one of 22 women who made sexual assault allegations against Watson in the past monthImage credit: AP
9
Houston Texans quarterback Watson has denied all allegationsImage credit: AP
Last week, the attorney tried to counter the allegations by posting on record statements from 18 therapists who he claimed had had positive interactions with Watson.
During a news conference in Texas, Solis, a massage therapist, tearfully said that she shivers when she remembers the “terrible things” Watson did.
Solis claims she can’t touch a patient now without trembling, and revealed that images of Watson flashed in her head during sessions with other patients.
“I am an assault and harassment survivor. Deshaun Watson is my attacker and harasser,” said Solis, adding that she is struggling with panic attacks, anxiety and depression.
TEARFUL PRESS CONFERENCE
“I keep replaying the incident in my head like I’m trying to wake up to a terrible nightmare – only that nightmare is real.”
Solis spoke alongside Buzbee, who exposed another of Watson’s accusers as Lauren Baxley.
Baxley did not attend the conference but wrote a strong letter which was read aloud.
“You have crossed or tried to cross every line from professional and therapeutic to sexual and humiliating,” wrote Baxley
Solis was the first woman to anonymously file a sexual misconduct lawsuit against Watson three weeks ago.
She said she first filed the lawsuit under a pseudonym because she feared a backlash but now felt empowered to come forward.
9
Watson claims to have rejected settlement deals promoted by early prosecutorsImage credit: AP
9
Watson, pictured with girlfriend Jilly Anais in February 2020Photo credit: Getty
“Some days I feel like a hero, other days I feel like a failure,” said Solis.
“I can’t do the job I love most without shaking … I hope he knew how heartbreaking it is for me,” she continued.
“I got into massage therapy to heal people. To heal your mind and body. To bring peace to their souls. Deshaun Watson stole that from me. “
Solis said that her father was once a “die-hard Texan fan” but “can’t say his name without blushing”.
DENIED CLAIMS
“We have all been fooled into believing Deshaun Watson is a good guy and unfortunately we know that good people can do terrible things,” she said.
Solis added that she hopes Watson “knows how much pain he has caused me physically and emotionally”.
She hit Watson after he denied the allegations and said she would “not let him win”.
“He must be held accountable for his actions,” said Solis.
“I’m not going to let Deshaun Watson define who I am.”
The NFL is also independently investigating Watson, who denies all claims.
9
The NFL is also independently investigating Watson, who denies all claimsPhoto credit: Getty
He claims to have denied settlement requests from early prosecutors.
Last week, the Texan star also issued a statement from 18 female massage therapists claiming he never put her in an uncomfortable position and was a respectful customer.
DO NOT FEEL A FLUSH
Ghislaine Maxwell ‘doesn’t flush her toilet and made the cell dirty’
OUT OF CONTROL
The 2-year-old boy was shot in the head in a “road rage attack” as the violence turned in Chicago
“HEARTBREAKING” CALL
The 9-year-old girl called out to the 911 operator that “Dad killed the family”
Tears of fear
The weeping migrant boy turns to Border Patrol for help after being abandoned in the desert
STITCHED
How ‘Colonel’ mastermind died penniless behind £ 26 million worth of Brink’s Mat heist
DEADLY MOVEMENT
Cop NEVER should have brought Floyd’s neck expert, who trained him, to his knees, he says
All of Watson’s accusers except Solis and Baxley continue to use an alias.
He claimed that some of the women were asked to sign an NDA before or after meeting the NFL star.
Houston PD has confirmed an investigation is ongoing but no charges have been filed.
9
In a statement, Watson’s lawyer said Solis was seeking “hush money.”Photo credit: Twitter / @MySportsUpdate