Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is now under investigation by police after at least 21 women filed sexual assault and harassment...
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is now under investigation by police after at least 21 women filed sexual assault and harassment lawsuits against him.
The Houston Police Department said in a tweet on Friday that a complainant had filed a report with the agency about Watson.
'As with any allegation, the Houston Police Department is now conducting an investigation and will not comment further during the investigative process,' the law enforcement agency said.
Watson´s attorney, Rusty Hardin, has called the allegations 'meritless' and has questioned the claims made against the NFL player, alleging they were made following a failed attempt to blackmail his client for $30,000.
Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson faces accusations from 21 different women
The Houston Police Department said in a tweet on Friday that a complainant had filed a report with the agency about Watson
'We welcome this long overdue development. Now we will learn the identity of at least one accuser. We will fully cooperate with the Houston Police Department,' Hardin said Friday in a statement obtained by DailyMail.com.
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said in a statement to multiple media outlets, 'We are continuing to monitor all developments in the matter which remains under review of the Personal Conduct Policy.'
It was not immediately known if the person who filed the report with Houston police is one of the women who has filed suit against Watson.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the office of Tony Buzbee, who represents the 21 women, for more information and additional comment.
'Now that HPD has confirmed such via Twitter, I will also confirm that a complaint was filed with HPD this morning regarding Deshaun Watson,' Buzbee said in a statement obtained by KPRC-TV.
'I was not personally involved in the process, as I previously indicated I would not be. I can confirm, from the reports that I’ve received, that HPD personnel was extremely professional, thorough, and compassionate.'
He added: 'I will also confirm that other criminal complaints will follow, as previously indicated, in Houston and in other jurisdictions, and with other agencies.'
'I will let the authorities do their jobs, and will continue to do mine, on behalf of these courageous women.'
Buzbee told KPRC-TV that he had filed 'case number 22' on Friday with similar allegations to those of the other women who have already come forward.
The women, in lawsuits filed in state court in Houston, accuse Watson of exposing himself, touching them with his penis or kissing them against their will while he got a massage.
At least one woman has alleged Watson forced her to perform oral sex during a massage in December. All of the women who have sued Watson are either licensed massage therapists or worked in a spa or similar business.
Earlier this week, Hardin offered statements from 18 different women who said they had worked with Watson and he had 'never made them feel uncomfortable or demanded anything outside the scope of a professional massage.'
Rusty Hardin (left), Watson's attorney, said the investigation will allow for the identity of one of the women to be revealed. Tony Buzbee (right) represents the 21 women who have filed lawsuits against Watson and said he was 'not personally involved in the process'
The complaint filed with Houston police comes after Buzbee earlier this week had said he would not provide evidence to Houston police
The complaint filed with Houston police comes after Buzbee earlier this week had said he would not provide evidence to Houston police but would 'go elsewhere to provide our evidence to investigative authorities' because of concerns about the agency.
Buzbee had alleged Houston police would not fairly investigate the cases because of criticism he had made of the recently departed police chief and because Hardin´s son works for the agency.
'Our team has been roundly criticized because these numerous brave women haven't filed formal criminal complaints with HPD (although we have provided info to other organizations),' Buzbee said in an Instagram post earlier this week.
He added: 'My legal opponent, Mr. Hardin, has a son who is on of the exclusive Command Staff of HPD.'
'I am not saying in any way that Deshaun Watson's lawyer, Mr. Hardin, has a son who has a position that would compromise HPD and its investigation. ... But, I am saying that me and my clients will go elsewhere to provide our evidence to investigative authorities.'
Hardin called Buzbee's concerns about Houston police 'ludicrous.'
The NFL has said it is investigating the allegations against Watson.
Watson is one of the league´s top quarterbacks and led the NFL in yards passing last season.
He signed a four-year, $156 million contract extension with the Texans last offseason, but he became unhappy with the direction of the team as Houston sunk to 4-12.
Watson requested a trade in January.
No comments