Alleged sexual assault and inappropriate behavior accusations against Houston Texans player Deshaun Watson are now being investigated by the FBI, according to Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin.
Hardin also claimed that Watson spoke to the FBI about extortion accusations in one of the quarterback’s 23 cases, 22 of which are still pending.
“In April, the FBI came to us and told us they were investigating a matter as to whether one of Mr. [Tony] Buzbee’s clients had committed extortion in the way they were demanding money from Deshaun or what they would do if they didn’t pay it,” Hardin said in a news conference. “We were not the ones who contacted them; they contacted us. We talked to [the FBI]. We even let them interview Deshaun — and if y’all can find a lawyer that will let his client talk to the FBI if the lawyer had thought his client had done anything wrong or had any exposure, then I’ll be very, very surprised.”
According to the League of Justice website, the FBI met with Buzbee, representing the women suing Watson, on Friday, and spoke with many plaintiffs.
“I don’t think they’re investigating Deshaun,” Hardin said. “What they’re investigating is the allegations Buzbee has made in his lawsuits. I didn’t know about that until yesterday, and then I checked it out, and it’s true. They are.”
Watson will “continue to cooperate” with all parties engaged in the investigation, according to Hardin.
“We will continue to cooperate with [the FBI] in any way that they want,” Hardin said. “We have from the first cooperated with the Houston Police Department, cooperated with the district attorney’s office, and we’ll cooperate with the FBI, and ultimately, down the line, we’ll cooperate with the NFL because we know Deshaun has done absolutely nothing wrong.”
Ten women have filed complaints against Watson with the Houston Police Department, Hardin told ESPN’s John Barr last month. According to Hardin, eight of the women are among the 22 people who have filed a lawsuit against him.
As part of the NFL’s investigation into the lawsuits, Hardin claims Watson has not spoken to them.
“The NFL regularly tries to not reach out to the defendant and his lawyers and seek evidence from them until the criminal investigation is over,” Hardin said. “Historically, they want to make sure they don’t interfere with the criminal investigation. I have had no contact with the NFL except to call initially and say, whenever the time is appropriate, we will fully cooperate.”
Discover more from Baller Alert
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
