Tag: Rusty Hardin

Report: 30 women alleging misconduct against Deshaun Watson settle claims with Houston Texans

The Houston Texans have settled claims with 30 women who alleged sexual misconduct against Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson.

The Houston Texans have settled with all of the women who made or intended to make claims against the organization for its alleged role in the reported sexual misconduct of former quarterback Deshaun Watson.

According to KPRC-TV, the Texans have settled with 30 women represented by Houston attorney Tony Buzbee. Terms of the settlements are confidential.

Buzbee released a statement following the announcement of the settlement on Friday:

“I will have no further comment on the allegations or the Texans’ role, other than to say that there is a marked contrast in the way in which the Texans addressed these allegations, and the way in which Watson’s team has done so. As previously reported, only one of the 30 women who made allegations against the Texans filed a formal lawsuit. That particular lawsuit will be dismissed with prejudice as soon as the appropriate settlement paperwork is complete.

“It takes an incredible amount of fortitude for a victim of sexual misconduct to come forward. It is even more difficult when the alleged wrongdoer is famous, rich, and powerful. As I’ve said before, these cases started with one phone call, from one brave and strong woman: Ashley Solis. Because of her willingness to speak out, soon others followed. I admire Ashley Solis and the other woman who were courageous enough to make their voices heard. I hope their bravery serves as an example to others who have been subjected to similar conduct. Every story has a hero – in this story, that hero is Ashley Solis and the other woman who, despite the ridicule, criticism, and vitriol directed at them, endured.

“The four filed cases against Deshaun Watson will continue. We hope to try them all in the spring of next year. In the meantime, we will continue to do the important work to prepare for such.”

A Harris County grand jury declined to indict Watson on criminal charges related to the allegations, as did a Brazoria County grand jury. The complaints against Watson have been ongoing since March 17, 2021, when Buzbee first made comments on social media about the incidents. The civil suits have resulted in complaints to the Houston Police Department, an investigation by the FBI, and an ongoing investigation by the NFL. There were also warrants issued for Watson’s social media accounts.

The Texans traded Watson to the Cleveland Browns in mid-March 2022.

Notes as Deshaun Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, speaks at length on podcast

What did Watson’s lawyer say during the podcast? A few interesting/noteworthy quotes here from one side of the story including about a settlement that almost happened last year:

It is clear that the Cleveland Browns acquisition of Deshaun Watson is the biggest story of the team’s offseason and, likely, the next five to ten years. It may not be hyperbole that the Watson trade was the most significant move in the entire offseason, especially when considering the 22 civil cases and the impact on former top overall pick Baker Mayfield.

While Watson’s civil cases may drag on for another year, his lawyer, Rusty Hardin, believes that the NFL will want to conclude its investigation this summer.

With the NFL meeting with Watson recently, Hardin decided to go on a podcast to discuss the case. A seemingly unusual act, Hardin joined “Between the Lines: A podcast about sports and the law” and answered many questions about the case.

For those who may not have time to listen to the entire podcast, we spent time transcribing some of the most important and most interesting quotes from Hardin while trying to keep each in context. For full context, we encourage you to listen to the podcast yourself as linked above.

It is important to remember that the below quotes are from Watson’s side of things and Hardin has a unique interest in presenting things in a way that puts his client in a good light and the opposing legal counsel in a negative one:

Watson’s lawyer believes NFL’s initial decision will come June or July

Not only did Hardin say they expect a decision but that they are hoping for resolution from the NFL this summer and sooner rather than later:

The two looming issues for the Cleveland Browns still have no certainty of having conclusions anytime soon. Connected to each other, the acquisition of QB Deshaun Watson with the possibility of him being suspended and the divorce with former QB Baker Mayfield have been the team’s primary storylines this offseason.

While few think Mayfield will be around for the start of training camp, anything is possible at this point.

Many believe, given an agreement between the two lawyers in the civil cases, that Watson’s possible suspension could be delayed until the 2023 season. That feeling changed last week when the NFL flew to Houston to meet with the quarterback.

Now, according to Watson’s lawyer Rusty Hardin, there is an expectation that the league will make a decision before the civil cases conclude:

“We should know what their position is initially sometime in June, and then everybody will figure out if there’s going to be a hearing about it or can people work things out, or whatever,” Hardin told cleveland.com by phone on Friday evening. “The only thing that’s certain is that they want to try to get everything done this summer — and earlier than later in the summer. Past that, we don’t really have any firm dates or possibilities.”

Perhaps the most interesting statements are those at the end where Hardin notes a desire to conclude the process this summer.

In the same interview, Watson’s lawyer notes that they are expecting the league to meet with the quarterback again.

Report: Texans QB Deshaun Watson to use the 5th Amendment for deposition

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson plans to take the Fifth Amendment when he undergoes his scheduled deposition on March 11.

Deshaun Watson may be known as DW5 after his first deposition.

The Houston Texans quarterback is scheduled to have his first deposition on March 11 in the lawsuit wherein 22 women allege he committed sexual assault. After almost a full year since the first civil suit was filed in Harris County district court, the former 2017 first-round pick will be eligible to answer questions under oath regarding the combined suit.

According to Aaron Wilson from the Pro Football Network, Watson’s plan to take the Fifth Amendment is from his lawyer, Rusty Hardin. The grand jury will also hear presentation from the district attorney on Friday. A request to delay was denied.

General manager Nick Caserio told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on March 1 that the situation with Watson is something the organization takes “day to day.”

“I would say that situation, we’ve talked about this with our group, we’re day to day in terms of handling that,” Caserio said. “Once the information becomes more relevant or prevalent, then we’ll handle it accordingly. My philosophy from the beginning has always been to do the right thing by the Houston Texans organization, and we’re going to continue to do that here moving forward.”

Watson requested a trade from the Texans in late January 2021. Shortly before the start of free agency in March 2021, the first lawsuit was filed. The Houston Police Department has also fielded criminal complaints against Watson, some of which are already included in the combined suit. The FBI has conducted its own investigation, and the NFL is also conducting its own investigation, possibly to determine if Watson violated the league’s personal conduct policy.

The new league year kicks off on March 16 at 3:00 p.m. The quarterback market is already starting to take shape as the Denver Broncos traded for Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson on Tuesday.

Rusty Hardin: 2 new women file allegations against Texans QB Deshaun Watson

Rusty Hardin, who represents Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson, says two new women have filed charges against his client.

Two new women have filed complaints against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

The women filed their allegations of sexual assault with the Houston Police Department, according to John Barr of ESPN, and are not part of the lawsuit that includes 22 women. However, eight of the 22 women in the suit similarly filed charges with the Houston Police Department, according to Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin.

“There are 10 women that have made complaints to the police,” Hardin said.

Hardin says that Watson his legal team have cooperated with the Houston Police Department and also the Harris County District Attorney’s office.

“We’re dealing with both of them, providing them information,” said Hardin. “We’re fully cooperating with the police. We’re fully cooperating with the district attorney’s office and, when the criminal investigation is over, we’ll fully cooperate with the NFL.”

The NFL, which is conducting its own investigation, has not yet spoken with Watson, and Hardin says they will fully cooperate with the league when that time comes.

Watson reported to the Texans for training camp on Sunday, and in doing so avoids a $50,000 per day fine.

The three-time Pro Bowler requested a trade from the team in January and is still adamant about that request.

According to Hardin, teams are interested to work with the Texans in acquiring his client, even amid the lawsuit and complaints filed with the police.

“Teams are ready to jump now if the Texans would trade with them, even while all this is pending,” Hardin said. “There’s no question that teams, numerous teams, are still interested. The ball is in the Texans’ court.”

Court to consolidate Texans QB Deshaun Watson’s lawsuits

All of the cases against Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson have been consolidated into one case to be heard in Harris County district court.

A Harris County court will hear all of the cases against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson as they are being consolidated into one case.

On April 9 during an emergency hearing, State Civil District Judge Rabeea Sultan Collier ruled in favor of Watson’s camp that the women suing Watson should reveal their names.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, announced that one of Watson’s 22 accusers has dropped their civil lawsuit against the quarterback. Hardin is the attorney who is representing Watson after 22 massage therapists accused the 25-year-old Georgia native of sexual assault.

Since the lawsuits have been filed on , Watson has lost endorsements in the process. Watson responded on social media at the outset on March 17 prior to the first lawsuit being filed in Harris County district court.

Texans QB Deshaun Watson’s lawyer looks forward ‘to resolving these matters in court’

Rusty Hardin, attorney representing Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson amid 22 sexual assault lawsuits, says he hopes to resolve the matters in court.

The attorney representing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson in his 22 lawsuits alleging sexual assault says he looks forward to resolving the matters in a court of law.

Attorney Rusty Hardin issued a statement via KPRC-TV’s Vanessa Richardson on Thursday outlining why he has filed a motion to discover the identity of the 22 Jane Does who are suing Watson.

“We have said this before and we want to say it again: Deshaun did not force, coerce or intimidate anyone to do anything against their will. When we asked Mr. Buzbee to identify his clients weeks ago, he refused and told us to file a motion. Today we filed that motion. As discussed in our filing, Mr. Buzbee’s use of anonymous lawsuits violates Texas law and the basic concept of fairness.

It is clear that, for Mr. Buzbee, this case has never been about seeking justice in a courtroom, but destroying Deshaun’s reputation to enhance his own public profile and enrich himself. While I understand that anonymity often is used as a shield for victims, Mr. Buzbee is using it as a sword. While shielding his clients from public scrutiny, Mr. Buzbee continues to use their anonymous allegations to destroy Mr. Watson. This is simply not right. And we look forward to resolving these matters in court.”

On Friday, there will be a hearing at 11:00 a.m. in the 113 civil district court in Harris County regarding Hardin’s emergency request to disclose the names of the plaintiffs.

One of the plaintiffs has already come forward and read a public statement. The second known plaintiff submitted a letter that was read by Buzbee’s staff at a press conference.

Nike suspends endorsement of Texans QB Deshaun Watson

Nike, the official outfitter of the NFL, has suspended its endorsement of Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

One of the key points throughout the flurry of sexual assault lawsuits filed against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson was that no one had dropped him from their endorsements. However, that particular fact is starting to change

According to Jabari Young of CNBC, Nike released a statement indicating they will be suspending their endorsement of Watson as the lawsuits and investigations from the Houston Police Department and the NFL unfold.

“We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and have suspended Deshaun Watson. We will continue to closely monitor the situation,” the statement from Nike read.

Nike is also the official outfitter of the NFL.

Watson has had 22 women file lawsuits against him alleging sexual assault. April 6 saw one of the women speak publicly at a press conference with the attorney representing her and the other 21 women, Tony Buzbee.

The three-time Pro Bowler is represented by Rusty Hardin, who has previously represented other former NFL stars including Adrian Peterson and Warren Moon.

Former lawyer for Adrian Peterson, Warren Moon representing Texans QB Deshaun Watson

Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson has Rusty Hardin as his defense attorney. Hardin previously represented Warren Moon, Adrian Peterson, and more.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has enlisted the services of a well-known defense attorney who has previously represented high profile athletes.

According to KHOU, Watson has hired Rusty Hardin as his defense attorney as he faces multiple civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault with different massage therapists.

Hardin, a former prosecutor who became a defense attorney in 1990, has a track record of representing pro athletes.

Among Hardin’s NFL players, he represented former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Warren Moon in 1996 when he was charged with choking and beating his wife at their Missouri City home. Hardin also represented former Vikings running back Adrian Peterson in 2014 when he was arrested in Montgomery County after beating his son with a tree branch, or as is known in Southern parlance, a “switch.”

Hardin represented former New England Patriots defensive end Michael Bennett in 2017 when a 66-year-old security guard at NRG Stadium accused him of injuring her after Super Bowl LI. The charge was later dismissed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ajf6wmXhNT0

The NFL is investigating the claims against Watson and will evaluate them as it pertains to violating their personal conduct policy. As of March 19, seven plaintiffs have filed lawsuits against Watson in Harris County district court.