Houston attorney Tony Buzbee introduced the first woman to file a lawsuit against Deshaun Watson at a press conference Tuesday.
Ashley Solis spoke to the media about filing the lawsuit against the Texans quarterback, which involved Watson exposing himself to the massage therapist during a session and moving his body in a way that made his penis touch her hands.
GRAPHIC DETAILS: 22nd lawsuit against Deshaun Watson describes disturbing massage session
On Tuesday, Solis put her name to the lawsuit, which was the first of the so-far 22 suits filed against Watson.
"It has taken me a long time to get to this point to come out publicly and speak my truth," Solis said. "I know a lot of you were probably wondering who I was or if I even existed. I’m not afraid any more. I’m here to take back the power and take back control. I am a survivor of assault and harassment and assault. Deshaun Watson is my assaulter and my harasser."
Solis, who is a licensed massage therapist, says she has had trouble continuing with her job.
"I can no longer practice the profession I love the most without shaking during a session," Solis said. "My hands shake whenever I place them on a client and I have to cut the session short. If you only knew how heartbreaking that is for me. I got into massage therapy to heal people, to heal their minds and bodies, to bring peace to their souls. He took that away from me. He tainted a profession in which I take enormous pride. Flashes of Watson's face rush to me in the moment. I think of his penis touching me which sends me into a tailspin. I suffer from panic attacks, anxiety and depression. I am in counseling as a result of Deshaun Watson's actions. I hope he knows how much pain he has inflicted on me emotionally and physically and I hope he knows the pain how much pain he has inflicted on these other survivors."
Buzbee, who called Solis a "pioneer" and a "very brave person", said Solis also has talked to the police about the incident, but is not the woman who formally filed a police report last week. The Houston Police Department is investigating a criminal complaint against Watson.
"We were all deceived into thinking Deshaun Watson was a good guy," Solis said. "Unfortunately, we know that good guys can do terrible things."
Solis also expressed disappointment with some of the comments she's seen online disparaging the women who have filed suit against Watson.
"People say that I'm doing this just for money; that is false. I come forward now so that Deshaun Watson does not assault another woman," Solis said. "I come forward now in the hope that no other human being will assault another in the future. I want to prevent this type of conduct. I come forward now to bring change in our society. I am seeking justice not just on behalf of myself but for all survivors. I stand with you all."
According to the suit, Solis ended the March 2020 session at her home and began to cry and Watson told her, “I know you have a career and a reputation, and I know you would hate for someone to mess with yours, just like I don’t want anyone messing with mine."
Lauren Baxley, an 11-year massage therapist, didn't appear at the press conference, but is one of the 22 women who has filed suit against Watson. Upon recommendation of her therapist, Baxley wrote an open letter to Watson, which was read to the media Tuesday.
Baxley said she had worked with several athletes and "far more wealthy clients and with clients with far more global celebrity" than Watson and she was shocked that, during their session, Watson got naked, didn't want to be covered by a towel, directed her to move her hands to his anus, touched her with his penis and directed her to "just grab it if it's in your way."
"I am furious that the talented and hardworking young black man that gave so many children inspiration is nothing more than a predator with power," Baxley wrote in the letter. "I am heartbroken for your family, for your loved ones, for those coming to terms with the fact that your charitable work and good-guy persona are nothing more than a meticulously designed facade to keep your victims silent and second-guessing themselves. How can such a good man do such terrible things and with frequency and total disregard for his abused victims? You are not a good man. Anything good that you have done is poisoned by your true nature."
Watson has denied the allegations and hired prominent attorney Rusty Hardin to defend him.
On Tuesday afternoon, Hardin's office released a statement and email correspondence between Buzbee's office and Scott Gaffield, attorney at Athletes First agency, which represents Watson. The emails show Buzbee seeking a settlement with Watson on behalf of his client before filing the first suit.
“We did not think that the facts showed that Deshaun did anything wrong with their client," Gaffield said in a statement released by Hardin's office. "We believed then – and fully believe now – that Deshaun learned a lesson about putting himself in this type of situation by interacting with people he does not know. As the emails show, we were willing to continue discussions on Deshaun’s behalf to explore ways to prevent a lawsuit and a public spectacle. But Mr. Buzbee informed us that he was unwilling to do so. We expect that this matter will be resolved in court.”
After the email exchange, Watson allegedly assaulted another massage therapist in Georgia.
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