At Least 10 of Deshaun Watson’s Accusers Have Filed Police Reports

The Houston Police Division has spoken to at the least 10 ladies who’ve accused Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of crimes from undesirable touching to sexual assault, in response to data obtained by The New York Instances.

The data are closely redacted, and don’t reveal the names of the complainant or the suspect, however they have been launched in response to a request for all data associated to Watson or his residence tackle in Houston.

A short abstract of every criticism is without doubt one of the few traces left unredacted within the paperwork. “Complainant said that the suspect touched her inappropriately and uncovered himself,” learn one. One other mentioned: “Complainant was sexually assaulted by the suspect. One suspect. No arrest. Complainant keen to prosecute.”

Houston police spoke to the ladies between April 2 and Might 20 of this yr, and dates of their complaints ranged from September 2019 to December 2020. Watson has not been charged with any crimes.

On March 16 of this yr, the legal professional Tony Buzbee introduced that he was submitting a lawsuit in opposition to Watson, accusing him of misconduct in opposition to an unnamed lady. Buzbee now represents 22 ladies who’ve sued Watson.

Along with the ten ladies who’ve spoken to Houston police, the F.B.I. is investigating the case, in response to Buzbee and Watson’s legal professional, Rusty Hardin. Watson has spoken to the F.B.I., and Hardin has mentioned brokers are investigating considered one of Buzbee’s purchasers for extortion, whereas Buzbee has mentioned they’re investigating Watson’s conduct.

The standing of the legal investigations into Watson’s conduct is unclear. Spokespeople for the Harris County District Legal professional’s Workplace and the F.B.I. didn’t reply to requests for remark, whereas a Houston police spokesman referred to the department’s statement from April 2 which reads, partially, “As with every allegation, the Houston Police Division is now conducting an investigation and won’t remark additional through the investigative course of.”

Final month, a Houston television station reported {that a} grand jury had been convened within the case. Below Texas legislation, each potential felony cost goes earlier than a grand jury.

Watson has not talked with police investigators, nor has he spoken with N.F.L. investigators concerning the accusations, Hardin mentioned in an interview Friday. “The police have made no try to succeed in out to Deshaun, and we don’t anticipate legislation enforcement to take action till they full an investigation,” Hardin mentioned, including that he could be stunned if the police investigation concluded earlier than October.

“The prosecutor has advised us from the start that finally when the investigation is over, their findings will likely be introduced to a grand jury,” Hardin mentioned at a information convention final month. “We will likely be given the chance to inform our aspect, and we are going to get an evenhanded listening to.”

In an interview earlier this week, Hardin mentioned, “Each single week we’re discovering out extra that makes us more and more extra snug that none of those instances will result in legitimate legal costs.”

Hardin mentioned he’ll start questioning the accusers within the civil instances at depositions that can begin this month. Watson’s deposition ought to occur by February, he mentioned.

The Instances requested the data from the Houston police in April, however they weren’t supplied till Friday.

The police division requested the workplace of the Texas legal professional common to rule on whether or not the data sought have been exempt from disclosure. An assistant legal professional common wrote in June that data that consists of the “detection, investigation or prosecution of crime” was exempt, however that fundamental details about an arrested individual, an arrest or a criminal offense just isn’t. That fundamental data was what was launched.

One occasion that has not but spoken to Watson: The N.F.L. has spoken to numerous the ladies who’ve sued Watson, in response to Buzbee, however Hardin has mentioned league investigators haven’t but spoken to Watson. In instances involving legal investigations, the N.F.L. usually waits till these investigations are accomplished earlier than interviewing the participant.

The Texans open their season in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 12, and it’s unclear whether or not Watson will begin at quarterback, or whether or not he’ll nonetheless be on the workforce. Watson participated in some of Houston’s training camp, although he didn’t play in any of the workforce’s three preseason video games. Based on quite a few reviews he has requested to be traded, a request that has been troublesome to meet given authorized and legal investigations.

Juliet Macur contributed reporting.