FBI investigating allegations against Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson, possible extortion
HOUSTON — The allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct versus Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson are being investigated by the FBI, Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, mentioned Wednesday.
Hardin also mentioned that Watson spoke to the FBI about allegations of extortion with regards to one particular of the 23 lawsuits filed versus the quarterback, of which 22 are nonetheless lively.
“In April, the FBI came to us and informed us they were being investigating a make a difference as to no matter if one particular of Mr. [Tony] Buzbee’s clients experienced fully commited extortion in the way they were being demanding revenue from Deshaun or what they would do if they did not spend it,” Hardin mentioned in a news meeting.
“We were being not the ones who contacted them they contacted us. We talked to [the FBI]. We even let them job interview Deshaun — and if y’all can come across a lawyer that will let his consumer communicate to the FBI if the lawyer experienced considered his consumer experienced performed everything mistaken or experienced any publicity, then I’ll be very, very astonished.”
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On Friday, Buzbee, who represents the females suing Watson, informed the League of Justice web page that the FBI fulfilled with him to discuss Watson and spoke with many plaintiffs.
“I don’t think they’re investigating Deshaun,” Hardin mentioned. “What they’re investigating is the allegations Buzbee has manufactured in his lawsuits. I did not know about that until finally yesterday, and then I checked it out and it can be genuine. They are.”
Hardin reiterated that Watson will “proceed to cooperate” with all events associated in the investigation.
“We will proceed to cooperate with [the FBI] in any way that they want,” Hardin mentioned. “We have from the first cooperated with the Houston Law enforcement Section, cooperated with the district attorney’s office, and we are going to cooperate with the FBI, and ultimately, down the line, we are going to cooperate with the NFL since we know Deshaun has performed absolutely practically nothing mistaken.”
At his news meeting, Hardin read through what he mentioned were being text messages to Watson from the lady he is accusing of extortion. Hardin mentioned the text messages do not point out an alleged attack on Dec. 28, 2020, in the course of a therapeutic massage session and that the lady mentioned she “apologize[d] for my actions.”
Buzbee informed The Associated Push afterwards Wednesday that Hardin is attacking the females who have sued Watson, declaring Hardin is “centered on seeking to attack me or my clients, and I am worn out of it.”
Final month, Hardin informed ESPN’s John Barr that 10 females have filed grievances about Watson with the Houston Law enforcement Section. 8 of the females, according to Hardin, are between the 22 plaintiffs who have filed lawsuits versus Watson.
Hardin mentioned Watson has not spoken to the NFL as portion of its investigation into the lawsuits.
“The NFL routinely tries to not access out to the defendant and his attorneys and find proof from them until finally the criminal investigation is more than,” Hardin mentioned. “Historically, they want to make guaranteed they don’t interfere with the criminal investigation. I have experienced no contact with the NFL besides to simply call originally and say, each time the time is acceptable, we will fully cooperate.”
Info from The Associated Push was utilized in this report.
