Apr 6, 2021 - Politics & Policy

2 of Deshaun Watson's accusers go public with sexual misconduct claims

Rebecca Falconer

Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans in action against the Tennessee Titans during a game at NRG Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Houston, Texas. — Deshaun Watson in action for the Houston Texans against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium in Houston in January. Photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

A woman who went public Tuesday with sexual misconduct allegations against Deshaun Watson said she has filed a criminal complaint with police, the second known criminal complaint made against the Houston Texans quarterback.

Driving the news: Ashley Solis said at a news conference in Houston that she's a "survivor of assault and harassment" and "Watson is my assaulter and my harasser, he assaulted me at my home doing what I love most, massage therapy." Watson has denied any wrongdoing.

Solis was the first of 22 women to file a civil lawsuit against Watson, accusing him of sexual misconduct.

The allegations: Solis accuses Watson of sexually assaulting her at a massage therapy session in March 2020. "I can no longer practice the profession I love the most without shaking," she said. "I hope he knew how heartbreaking that is to me."

Tony Buzbee, the lawyer representing Solis, said she's provided a statement to police. Houston police have declined to comment on the case, the Washington Post notes.
Lauren Baxley, a massage therapist, also attended the news conference, where an attorney from Buzbee's practice read aloud a statement on her behalf in which she described Watson as "nothing more than a predator with power."

The other side: Watson's lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said previously he believes "any allegation that Deshaun forced a woman to commit a sexual act is completely false."

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2 of Deshaun Watson's accusers go public with sexual misconduct claims

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