First of Deshaun Watson’s 22 accusers speaks out publicly, saying she now suffers panic attacks

The first of the 22 Jane Does to sue Houston Texans star Deshaun Watson for sexual misconduct identified herself publicly on Tuesday, tearfully saying she now suffers panic attacks and depression after the 25-year-old quarterback exposed himself and touched her with his penis during a private massage.

‘My name is Ashley Solis,’ the licensed massage therapist said at an emotional press conference alongside her attorney, Tony Buzbee. ‘Remember that name. … I was afraid. I’m not afraid anymore. 

‘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,’ she continued. ‘I can no longer practice the profession I love the most without shaking.

‘I hope he knew how heartbreaking that is to me.’  

Watson’s 21 other accusers have yet to identify themselves publicly. Through his attorney, Watson has denied all sexual misconduct claims. 

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Ashley Solis (right), the first of the 22 Jane Does to sue Houston Texans star Deshaun Watson for sexual misconduct, identified herself publicly at a press conference on Tuesday, saying she now suffers panic attacks and depression after the 25-year-old quarterback exposed himself and touched her with his penis during a private massage. ‘My name is Ashley Solis,’ the licensed massage therapist said at an emotional press conference alongside her attorney, Tony Buzbee (left). ‘Remember that name. … I was afraid. I’m not afraid anymore’

Watson (right) issued a statement after Solis filed her lawsuit anonymously on March 16, saying he has never disrespected any woman. Since then, 21 other women have filed against him while his attorney, Rusty Hardin, has accused the plaintiffs of being motivated by financial gain. ‘People say I’m doing this just for money,’ Solis (left) said. ‘That is false. I come forward now in hopes Deshaun Watson does not hurt another woman’

Buzbee represents all 22 of the women who filed against Watson, most of whom work as professional massage therapists. 

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The plaintiffs are suing for civil assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress, accusing Watson of exposing himself, touching them with his penis, and, in some cases, ejaculating on them. Two of the plaintiffs are also suing for sexual assault, claiming Watson forced them to perform oral sex on him.

Houston police and the NFL are both conducting investigations into the accusations. Buzbee said that Solis has spoken with police about her accusations. 

Watson issued a statement after Solis filed her lawsuit anonymously on March 16, saying he has never disrespected any woman. Since then, 21 other women have filed lawsuits against him in Harris County (Texas). 

His attorney, Rusty Hardin, has shared statements from 18 other female massage therapists who say that Watson acted appropriately during their private sessions. Hardin has also accused the 22 plaintiffs of being motivated by financial gain.

Solis responded to that accusation on Tuesday.  

‘People say I’m doing this just for money,’ Solis said. ‘That is false. I come forward now in hopes Deshaun Watson does not hurt another woman.

‘We were all deceived into thinking Deshaun Watson was a good guy, and unfortunately we know that good guys can do terrible things,’ she added.  

Another accuser was also identified by Buzbee on Tuesday.

That plaintiff, Lauren Baxley, was not present at the press conference, but her letter to Watson was read for the media on Tuesday. 

“Every boundary, from professional and therapeutic to sexual and degrading, you crossed or attempted to cross,” Baxley wrote of her alleged encounter with Watson 

Several of the massage therapists allegedly met Watson at a local hotel, The Houstonian, where he was staying in 2020 

Source: Daily Mail