Lawyer of Deshaun Watson releases statement on criminal case outcome

Rusty Hardin, the lawyer of Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, has released a statement following the announcement that a grand jury declined to indict Watson on criminal charges Friday. Hardin said that while the results of criminal investigations were a big when for his client, he now seeks to resolve the remaining civil cases against Watson.

“We are delighted that the grand jury has looked at the matter thoroughly and reached the same conclusion we did,” Hardin said in the statement. Deshaun Watson did not commit any crimes and is not guilty of any offenses. Now that the criminal investigations have been completed, we are happy to move forward with the civil case depositions. We will vigorously defend those cases with every ounce that we have.”

The lawyer went on to accuse the plaintiffs of seeking a “big pay day,” saying there is little evidence against Watson.

“There were no crimes committed here but it is a plaintiffs’ attorney churning up negative press and churning up his clients hoping for a big pay day,” the statement continued. “These cases have been the product of a lawyer maximizing his own personal publicity at the expense of others, including his own clients.

“It is time to let Deshaun move on.”

Hardin originally revealed on July 10 that 10 women had filed complaints to Houston police about his client. Of those 10 women, eight have filed lawsuits against Watson ranging from sexual assault to harassment during massage sessions. There were 22 lawsuits in total filed against the quarterback.

Watson’s deposition was originally scheduled to begin as early as Feb. 22.

A judge ruled last month that Watson could be deposed in nine of those civil cases after Hardin argued that delaying them would allow Watson the protection of knowing whether he will also face criminal charges. The quarterback did not play a game this past season as the possibility of being charged weighed on him the entire year.

Now that the criminal case has come to a conclusion, expect teams to inquire about trading for the former Clemson quarterback. A three-time Pro Bowler, Watson led the NFL in passing yards (4,823) during his last active season in 2020.