Tony Buzbee urges Goodell to ‘do the right thing’ on former Texans QB Deshaun Watson

HOUSTONd – Attorney Tony Buzbee held a information convention to focus on the newest updates on the civil instances filed in opposition to former Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Buzbee and different attorneys with The Buzbee Law Firm offered remark concerning the pending NFL proceedings. Several plaintiffs in the Watson litigation, together with Ashley Solis, the first girl to file the lawsuit in opposition to Watson, additionally attended the information convention.

Buzbee stated all 30 civil instances in opposition to the Texans group in Watsons sexual misconduct allegations have been settled and the financial quantity is not going to be disclosed. He additionally clarified that the NFL didn’t take part in the settlement or aside of the launch.

Buzbee stated out of all the instances filed, one was dismissed and that no different ones shall be filed from his legislation agency. He stated his legislation agency has spent a minimum of $250,000 to pursue these instances and get the resources wanted.

“A case like this takes a lot of resources to bring. not only personnel but financial. There were thousands of pages of documents, each of which had to be carefully reviewed. There were more than 100 witnesses questioned. There were 30 formal depositions taken, with each witness placed under oath, video taped and their testimony transcript,” Buzbee stated.

Ad

Watson has additionally settled with one case nonetheless remaining. Buzbee says the allegations in that case are very comparable to the earlier ones, stating that she is a licensed therapeutic massage therapist that he discovered her on Instagram. Watson and the girl reportedly solely had one session when the incident allegedly befell, in accordance to Buzbee.

Buzbee stated NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has an opportunity to “do the right thing” now that the league has appealed a six-game suspension for the Cleveland Browns quarterback.

“Every victim of sexual assault is watching Roger Goodell and the NFL right now. … Mr. Goodell, what will you do? It’s never too late to do the right thing,” legal professional Tony Buzbee, who represents the girls who sued Watson over their allegations, stated Thursday. “That’s what these women and those watching are expecting.”

The NFL’s enchantment of an unbiased disciplinary officer’s choice provides Goodell or somebody he designates the authority to enhance Watson’s penalty. On Thursday, Goodell named former New Jersey Attorney General Peter C. Harvey as his designee to hear the enchantment. Buzbee spoke earlier than the league made the announcement.

Ad

The NFL is seeking an indefinite suspension of at least one year plus a fine in interesting the suspension, an individual aware of the submitting instructed The Associated Press on Wednesday. The individual, talking on situation of anonymity as a result of the matter isn’t public information, additionally stated Watson can be required to bear analysis and remedy as decided by medical specialists earlier than he may very well be reinstated.

Former federal decide Sue L. Robinson issued her ruling Monday. She concluded Watson violated the league’s personal conduct coverage after being accused by the girls of sexual misconduct throughout therapeutic massage remedies whereas he performed for Houston.

Watson, who was with the Texans for 4 seasons earlier than sitting out final season after which being traded to Cleveland in March, has denied any wrongdoing. He has continued to apply with the Browns whereas awaiting decision of his case.

Ad

Ashley Solis, the first girl to file a lawsuit in opposition to Watson, sat subsequent to Buzbee as he mentioned the case earlier than taking the podium to share her ideas on the suspension.

Solis inhaled deeply and took a number of seconds to compose herself earlier than recounting the abuse she stated she has acquired since coming ahead, together with demise threats and on-line harassment that led her right into a deep melancholy.

“What do the actions of the NFL say to little girls who have suffered at the hands of someone perceived to have power?” she stated. “That it’s not a big deal. That they don’t care.”

Buzbee stated he reached out to a lot of the different girls following information of the suspension and he shared a few of their reactions Thursday.

“I’m disgusted and heartbroken,” he stated considered one of the girls instructed him. “It’s like we don’t even matter. I feel like we’re invisible.”

Buzbee criticized the NFL’s handling of the investigation and stated he questioned why considered one of the first questions requested to his 10 shoppers who have been interviewed by the NFL was: “What were you wearing?”

Ad

“We never expected much from the NFL’s investigation. We never expected much from their flawed process,” Buzbee stated. “Even when you know you’re going to be slapped in the face, that slap still hurts and it still stings.”

Solis stated she doesn’t remorse talking out. She stated she has been helped by letters and emails from strangers expressing assist for her and that she’ll proceed to inform her story to make certain younger girls know they’ve a voice.

“If anyone has ever tried to abuse their status and overpower you, remind them that they picked the wrong one to try that with,” she stated. “That’s exactly what I am — the wrong one. And I’ll keep showing my face and keep speaking up for as long as I can.”