Ashley Solis filed the first lawsuit alleging sexual assault by Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Massage therapist Solis tearfully told her story at a press conference arranged by Houston attorney Tony Buzbee, representing her and 21 other women who have filed suits.
“I’m here to take back the power and take back control,” Ms. Solis said. “I’m a survivor of assault and harassment.”
Age
She is 32 years old.
Deshaun Watson Sexually Assault Ashley Solis
Ms. Solis said Watson assaulted her at her home on March 30, 2020.
“Some days I feel like a hero, other days I feel like a failure,” she said. “I can no longer practice the profession I love the most without my hands shaking during the session.
“I got into massage therapy to heal people. To heal their minds and bodies. To bring peace to their souls. Deshaun Watson has robbed me of that.”
Ms. Solis said she had experienced anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
Read Next: Who is Fantahun Woldesenbet? Wiki, Bio, Age, Maryland Shooting Suspect, Died, Police Report
“We were all deceived into thinking Deshaun Watson was a good guy, and unfortunately we know that good guy can do terrible things,” she said.
News Conference
At the news conference, a statement from a second woman, Lauren Baxley, was read. Ms. Baxley said she felt “powerless and trapped” when Watson exposed himself to her and touched her with his genitals.
Ashley Solis is the first woman to come forward publicly to accuse Deshaun Watson of sexual assault’
“I am survivor of assault and harassment, Deshaun Watson is my assaulter and my harasser, he assaulted me at my home doing what I love most, massage therapy” pic.twitter.com/oA8luucYNk
“My anger and disgust burned within me, both at you and at myself,” she said.
“My false sense of shame and the way I had been cornered did not sit well with my outspoken nature against abuse of any kind.”
Mr. Buzbee said Ms. Solis had spoken with the Houston Police Department. The department acknowledged last week that Watson was the subject of a police investigation.
Watson, 25, has denied the women who allege he used massages as a pretext to prey on them.
In the lawsuits, he is accused of exposing his genitals to women and forcing at least one to perform oral sex.
Watson agreed to a four-year, $US156 million ($203.6 million) contract extension last September, and he subsequently produced his third consecutive Pro Bowl season for the Texans. However, he requested a trade in January.
“People say that I’m doing this just for money,” Ms. Solis said on Tuesday. “That is false. I come forward now so that Deshaun Watson does not assault another woman.
Watson’s Attorney Statement
Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, did not let the press conference go unanswered. He released a lengthy statement, claiming Buzbee sought $100,000 to settle Solis’ allegations just one month before he filed her suit.
“Mr. Buzbee himself repeatedly claimed that the litigation he filed on behalf of other Jane Does ‘isn’t about money,’” Hardin said. “In fact, according to the documentation below, Mr. Buzbee sought $100,000 in hush money.”
He said separately that Buzbee has not turned over any of the documents he shared with the media. Hardin has previously criticized Buzbee for failing to give him the names of his clients, which he says prevents him from investigating the claims.
