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Manager For Deshaun Watson Claims Texans Star Faced Blackmail Attempt From Accuser

Deshaun Watson holding helmet on Texans field.
Eric Christian Smith
/
AP
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson before a game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Houston.

The following story contains graphic descriptions of alleged sexual assault.

A manager for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson said the NFL star faced a blackmail attempt from one of the women now accusing him of sexual assault, according to a sworn affidavit released Tuesday.

The woman allegedly demanded $30,000 for her "indefinite silence" on a consensual sexual encounter with Watson, the document reads.

The affidavit was submitted by Watson鈥檚 marketing manager Bryan Burney, who said that he believed the woman to be the female masseuse that Watson was accused allegedly forced to perform oral sex during a massage session in December 2020. In the affidavit, Burney said that he spoke with the woman and a man claiming to be her business manager.

"I asked her what she would be silent about and whether anything had happened with Deshaun against her will," the affidavit reads. "She confirmed that everything that occurred was consensual during her encounter with Deshaun.鈥

The December 2020 incident is detailed in the third of now filed on behalf of the women by Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee.

Buzbee responded to the claims within the affidavit via Facebook Tuesday night.

鈥淎lleged sexual misconduct is serious,鈥 he wrote. "Attempting to criminalize or minimize those that speak out or step forward is wrong.鈥

Buzbee wrote that his team plans to release the non-disclosure agreement that Watson and his marketing manager allegedly got women to sign before and after the massage sessions, and that he plans to release additional details in the coming days.

The news comes as two more women filed lawsuits with sexual assault allegations against Watson Tuesday.

The 15th lawsuit accuses Watson of exposing himself to a female massage therapist during a session in October 2020. Throughout the session, Watson repeatedly told the woman to 鈥済o deeper,鈥 according to court documents. The woman said Watson allegedly paid her only a third of what she was owed.

The last lawsuit accuses Watson of exposing himself, inappropriate touching, and ejaculating on a female masseuse during a massage session at Watson鈥檚 home in May 2020. The woman said she attempted to leave after she became uncomfortable with Watson鈥檚 behavior.

After the woman refused a hug from Watson, he allegedly replied, 鈥淥h c鈥檓on I saw your Instagram. I know what you鈥檙e working with,鈥 according to court documents. Weeks after the incident, Watson repeatedly contacted the woman, trying to book another session, the lawsuit reads. The woman said she did not respond.

Watson鈥檚 attorney, Rusty Hardin, declined to comment on the latest accusations. In a statement last week, Hardin said he was 鈥渆xtremely proud鈥 to represent the Texans quarterback and called previous accusations 鈥渕eritless.鈥

Lucio Vasquez is a breaking news reporter for The Texas Newsroom, a collaborative of NPR stations across Texas. With a keen eye for fast-moving stories and a dedication to accurate, impactful journalism, Lucio delivers timely coverage of major events across the state. Before joining The Texas Newsroom, he spent the past five years at Houston Public Media covering some of the region鈥檚 most pressing stories.