Nearly a year ago, Ashley Solis filed the first civil lawsuit against Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Her account detailed that it was “apparent that Watson wanted the massage for only one reason—sex,” describing how in one session he “purposefully touched the Plaintiff's hand” with the tip of his penis. As the news of the lawsuit spread across the country, another surfaced on the Harris County District Clerk’s website later the next day. Then another one.
Watson has, at some point, faced 23 civil lawsuits. Multiple judges ruled that the names of the plaintiffs had to be disclosed and one lawsuit was dropped by a plaintiff “for now,” according to court documents, “in light of privacy and security concerns.” Solis initially filed her lawsuit as “Jane Doe” but, in anticipation of the ruling that her name must be disclosed, she revealed her identity in a press conference last April. That day, she said that she is “a survivor of assault and harassment” and that Watson “is my assaulter and my harasser.”
Watson reportedly faced 10 criminal complaints, and a Harris County prosecutor presented its case to a grand jury on March 11. The jury returned nine “no” bills on nine criminal complaints against the Texans quarterback. The prosecutor announced he would not be charged.
Watson, 26, still faces 22 active civil lawsuits each describing graphic incidents of sexual harassment and sexual assault. All plaintiffs are represented by Houston-based attorney Tony Buzbee.
The allegations launched investigations by the Houston Police Department and the NFL, all while Watson remains on the Texans’ roster. The quarterback, through written and public statements by his lawyer, Rusty Hardin, has denied any wrongdoing, referring to the civil lawsuits as a “money grab.” The district attorney presented criminal cases to a grand jury Friday, the same day Watson was deposed for the civil cases; he invoked his Fifth Amendment right, per
As the civil deposition proceedings continue, here’s what has happened on and off the field since Watson’s last snap.
Nearly one year since the first civil suit was filed, here’s what we know.
Jump ToWhat are the Accusations Against Watson?What Criminal Charges Could Watson Face?Where do the Civil Lawsuits Stand?Has the NFL Suspended Watson?Are Any NFL Teams Interested in Acquiring Watson From the Texans?
