Deshaun Watson accuser identifies herself: ‘I’m not afraid anymore’
The first woman to file a lawsuit against Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson for sexual misconduct has publicly identified herself and filed a police report against the football player.
Ashley Solis, a Houston massage therapist represented by attorney Tony Buzbee, held a press conference on Tuesday where she spoke about her allegations against the embattled quarterback.
“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,” Solis said.
“I can no longer practice the profession I love the most without shaking. … I hope he knew how heartbreaking that is to me,” she said.
Solis has accused Watson of sexually assaulting her during a massage therapy session in March 2020.
“I was afraid,” Solis said Tuesday in bringing forth the allegations, adding, “I’m not afraid anymore.”
Ashley Solis, Deshaun Watson’s first accuser to file a lawsuit who has now filed a police report gives tearful speech, coming forward for the first time. Describes the emotional and physical torment she endures from the alleged assault pic.twitter.com/By2pmiO26n
— Amy Dash (@AmyDashTV) April 6, 2021
Ashley Solis: “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” [via @gifdsports]pic.twitter.com/8c6qyCRrtC
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 6, 2021
Watson is facing 20 other civil lawsuits — mostly from massage therapists — accusing him of sexual misconduct and assault in massage sessions between 2020 and 2021.
The Houston Police Department announced on Saturday that they have launched an investigation into the criminal complaint filed against the Texans quarterback.
Watson has denied the accusations against him, and his attorney released a statement last week with messages of support from more than a dozen massage therapists who worked with Watson.
The NFL said last month that it is investigating the allegations against Watson.
The Texans on Tuesday referred The Hill back to statements they issued in mid-March that said the organization takes such accusations “seriously” and will await the results of the NFL’s investigation.
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