Keep Texans Talk Google Ad Free!
Venmo Tip Jar | Paypal Tip Jar
Thanks for your support! 🍺😎👍

Sexual Assault Suits Against Watson

Slime remark by a slime attorney. He fails to mention that today, it IS definitely a crime. No matter, it goes to intent of seeking massages was not for therapeutics, unless "therapeutics" is assigned to the satisfying of the sexual appetite.

Note that this is a therapeutic massage I am giving you............you feel much better now, right?
200w.gif
 

Attachments

  • 1654278182679.png
    1654278182679.png
    100.2 KB · Views: 4
Last edited:
Deshaun Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, contends sexual activity during a massage is not a crime

Posted by Mike Florio on June 3, 2022, 1:53 PM EDT

As Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson continues to flounder in the court of public opinion, two of his lawyers submitted to an extended radio interview on Friday morning regarding the case.

Rusty Hardin and Leah Graham appeared on Sports Radio 610 in Houston. They answered many questions about the 23 civil cases pending against Watson. Each of the lawsuits allege sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions.

Hardin and Graham said plenty of things that are worthy of consideration and analysis. Near the end of the interview, Hardin had this to say about the possibility that Watson was getting massages from so many different therapists with an expectation, a hope, and/or a desire that it take a sexual turn. Indeed, Watson and his lawyers have admitted that consensus activities occurred with three of the plaintiffs who have sued him.

“I don’t know how many men are out there now that have had a massage that perhaps occasionally there was a happy ending,” Hardin said. “Maybe there’s nobody in your listening audience that that ever happened to. I do want to point out, if it has happened, it’s not a crime. OK? Unless you are paying somebody extra or so to give you some type of sexual activity, it’s not a crime. . . . Doing something or saying something or being a way that makes you uncomfortable is not a crime.”

But we’re not talking about criminal conduct at this stage of the process. The question is whether a civil violation occurred — something that isn’t a crime but that constitutes behavior that would permit the plaintiff to receive fair compensation.

An equally important question for Watson is whether his behavior violates the Personal Conduct Policy. If he arranged massages hoping for a “happy ending” and in so doing connected himself in a way that made multiple massage therapists uncomfortable, that potentially amounts to “conduct that poses a genuine danger to the safety and well-being of another person” and/or “conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL personnel.”

Hardin, Graham, and the rest of Watson’s legal team are paid to advocate for him. That’s what they’re doing. They’re not paid to say, “Look, Deshaun likes getting massages from strangers and having them possibly turn sexual. Sometimes, the massage therapist initiates it. Sometimes, he has to make the first move. Sometimes, the massage therapist may not be interested in doing that. Sometimes, the massage therapist may end up feeling uncomfortable or offended.”

Common sense suggests, based on the 23 claims pending against Watson, that he was doing precisely that. Does anyone believe these massages were therapeutic? He’s a professional athlete. He would want to find one person who consistently gives him the kind of massage that allows him to get the most out of his abilities, not a revolving door of people with varying levels of skill and experience who may or may not enhance his on-field performance — and who potentially could with one wrong move impair it.

He has every right to defend himself against these 23 cases, and to insist that he did nothing wrong before, during, and after the trials. As Hardin says more and more about the situation, however, he’s coming dangerously close to admitting that Watson indeed had a habit of seeking and/or getting “happy endings.” Should anyone be surprised that the therapists who objected to these advances, once they realized that they had rights that could be pursued in court, decided to do so?
Hardin and Graham keep trying to blame attorney Tony Buzbee for basically soliciting plaintiffs with claims against Watson. So what if he did? Turn on the TV and try to watch 20 minutes without seeing a commercial in which a lawyer or a law firm tries to solicit specific types of people with specific types of claims against specific defendants, from asbestos to talcum powder to weed eater to truck accidents to workplace injuries to any type of civil claim a person can make, and from which their lawyers will make money.

Ultimately, the 23 pending cases will go to court and be resolved by a jury unless they are settled. Ultimately, the NFL will make a decision on whether Watson violated the Personal Conduct Policy. If Watson’s defense in the Court of Roger Goodell is, “Did I get a few happy endings? Sure. Was I trying to get even more than that? You bet. But, hey, that’s not a crime,” Watson has little chance at avoiding a lengthy suspension.
 
This is a really good article pertaining to the law around “massage establishments” vs “massage parlors” and why it is/was difficult for Texas/Harris County to indict Deshaun on criminal charges. The line is blurred on what is and is not allowed based on the establishment type. Furthermore, by Deshaun hosting these women at his home it blurs the line of establishment vs parlor even more.


Some relevant lines -

The most notable amendments made in HB 2696 include: 1.) amending the “registration” requirement to a “licensing,” requirement; 2.) requiring criminal background checks to obtain a license (including a new background check if the establishment changes locations); 3.) allowing law enforcement to enter the premises to ensure compliance; 4.) creation of a public registry of licensed massage therapists; 5.) insertion of language prohibiting sexual conduct in the massage establishment; and 6.) increased the civil penalty for violations under the code to a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $10,000 and the criminal penalty to either a Class A or Class B misdemeanor.

Yet the problem persists

One reason for the failure to stem the tide of IMBs in Texas is the conflation of the terms “massage establishment” and “massage parlor.” Texas Occupations Code Chapter 455 defines a “massage establishment” as “a place of business that advertises or offers massage therapy or other massage services.” Importantly, this same code states that a “sexually oriented business” may not hold a license or operate as a massage establishment and that a massage therapist cannot practice at a sexually oriented business.

On the other hand, Local Government Code Chapter 234 defines a “massage parlor” as “a business establishment that purports to provide massage services and that allows: (A) a nude person to provide massage services to a customer; (B) a person to engage in sexual contact for compensation; or (C) a person to provide massage services in clothing intended to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.”

This sounds similar to the definition of a sexually oriented business, defined in Local Government Code Chapter 243 as “a sex parlor, nude studio … or other commercial enterprise the primary business of which is the offering of a service … intended to provide sexual stimulation or sexual gratification to the customer.” A “massage parlor” is effectively a “sexually oriented business” masquerading as a “massage establishment.”

However, by forcing / coercing women who did not want to engage in this behavior into sexual acts, Watson is opening himself up to the civil suits we are seeing based around infliction of emotional distress, sexual coercion, sexual assault and negligence. The key for the plaintiffs is proving that they intended to strictly be massage therapists and not bonafide sex workers “intending to provide sexual stimulation or gratification” for pay or engage in consensual sexual acts as a person outside the scope of their contracted employment. The negligence claim is a little foggier because it revolves around the potential contracts formed and if through the relationship a duty was formed for Deshaun and if a reasonable person would assume that duty was breached causing harm to the plaintiffs.

I hope this helps clarify a bit on why criminal charges were tough to push through but the civil side of things is just picking up. As stated earlier up thread by quite a few people, Deshaun should have settled, taken the PR nightmare for a few weeks/months, and then rehabilitated his image. By drawing this out, his name and brand is taking a bigger beating due to the longevity of the proceedings and how this process is playing out in the court of of public opinion. And he only has his ego/attorney/agent/enablers to thank for allowing him to believe he has “no problem whatsoever”.

JWL
 
Hardin has presented a terrible example to fall back on. Even though at the time of these complaints, no law was broken, today, the law has changed. In his interview, he stated that he made the gross misrepresentation that looking for a "happy ending" IS not against the law.

*******************************************************

Solicitation of Prostitution Under the New Texas Penal Code §43.021

Under the new Texas law, it remains a crime to solicit prostitution even if no money is exchanged (or other form of payment) and/or no sexual conduct transpires. It remains a crime in Texas merely to ask for sex in exchange for any type of payment. What is changing is the severity of punishment: the new law increases the potential sentence facing anyone convicted of the crime of solicitation of prostitution.

Beginning September 1st, the arrested john will be charged with the new crime of “Solicitation of Prostitution” under Texas Penal Code §43.021 and will be facing a state jail felony or a 3rd degree felony sentence, and if a minor is involved, that of a felony of the second degree.
 
This is a really good article pertaining to the law around “massage establishments” vs “massage parlors” and why it is/was difficult for Texas/Harris County to indict Deshaun on criminal charges. The line is blurred on what is and is not allowed based on the establishment type. Furthermore, by Deshaun hosting these women at his home it blurs the line of establishment vs parlor even more.


Some relevant lines -





However, by forcing / coercing women who did not want to engage in this behavior into sexual acts, Watson is opening himself up to the civil suits we are seeing based around infliction of emotional distress, sexual coercion, sexual assault and negligence. The key for the plaintiffs is proving that they intended to strictly be massage therapists and not bonafide sex workers “intending to provide sexual stimulation or gratification” for pay or engage in consensual sexual acts as a person outside the scope of their contracted employment. The negligence claim is a little foggier because it revolves around the potential contracts formed and if through the relationship a duty was formed for Deshaun and if a reasonable person would assume that duty was breached causing harm to the plaintiffs.

I hope this helps clarify a bit on why criminal charges were tough to push through but the civil side of things is just picking up. As stated earlier up thread by quite a few people, Deshaun should have settled, taken the PR nightmare for a few weeks/months, and then rehabilitated his image. By drawing this out, his name and brand is taking a bigger beating due to the longevity of the proceedings and how this process is playing out in the court of of public opinion. And he only has his ego/attorney/agent/enablers to thank for allowing him to believe he has “no problem whatsoever”.

JWL
The "massage parlor" Tx law Local Government Code Chapter 234 appears to have been drawn up ~2011. From what I understand, it is now superceded by the new Tx 2021 law I posted above.

But going back to Code Chapter 234. As I also understand, it already precludes the operation of a sexually oriented massage parlor in Harris County. A New U Salon Sa is registered and licensed under the "dual shop" entry..........cosmetology and hair salon. It is located in Harris County. BTW, its TX license and registration will expire 9/17/22. Won't be surprised if they are investigated and their license not renewed (if not more).

A NEW U SALON MED SPA is a business licensed with Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The customer account number is #DUASHP00813320. The business address is 156 Fm 1960, Suite M, Houston, TX 77073. The business license type is Dual Shop.

From HarrisCounty.Gov:

8.4 MASSAGE PARLORS STRICTLY PROHIBITED

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, individual, business, company, corporation, or other entity to operate a Massage Parlor in Harris County.

(b) Pursuant to section 234.105 of the Local Government Code, a person commits an offense if the person intentionally or knowingly operates a Massage Parlor in Harris County. An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.

(c) Pursuant to section 234.104 of the Local Government Code, a person who operate a Massage Parlor in Harris County is liable to the county for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each violation. Each day a violation continues is considered a separate violation HARRIS COUNTY SOB REGULATIONS PAGE 39 OF 40 for purposes of assessing the civil penalty. Harris County may bring suit in district court to recover a civil penalty authorized by these Regulations.

(d) Pursuant to section 234.103 of the Local Government Code, Harris County may sue in district court for an injunction to prohibit the violation of this Section or Subsection against any person or entity who maintains, owns, uses, is a party to the use, or who owns the real property where the violation or threatened violation of this Subsection is occurring and/or has occurred.
 
Last edited:
“He singlehandedly is losing the case before we pick a jury,” Tony Buzbee said of Hardin.

Buzbee told USA TODAY Sports the women “didn’t agree to the massages to give Deshaun Watson a happy ending.”

“That Mr. Hardin would suggest that Watson was OK in expecting that kind of conduct is disgusting,” Buzbee said. “I think Mr. Hardin himself in his moment of clarity may have ended Watson’s career.”
 
Deshaun Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, contends sexual activity during a massage is not a crime

Posted by Mike Florio on June 3, 2022, 1:53 PM EDT

As Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson continues to flounder in the court of public opinion, two of his lawyers submitted to an extended radio interview on Friday morning regarding the case.

Rusty Hardin and Leah Graham appeared on Sports Radio 610 in Houston. They answered many questions about the 23 civil cases pending against Watson. Each of the lawsuits allege sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions.

Hardin and Graham said plenty of things that are worthy of consideration and analysis. Near the end of the interview, Hardin had this to say about the possibility that Watson was getting massages from so many different therapists with an expectation, a hope, and/or a desire that it take a sexual turn. Indeed, Watson and his lawyers have admitted that consensus activities occurred with three of the plaintiffs who have sued him.

“I don’t know how many men are out there now that have had a massage that perhaps occasionally there was a happy ending,” Hardin said. “Maybe there’s nobody in your listening audience that that ever happened to. I do want to point out, if it has happened, it’s not a crime. OK? Unless you are paying somebody extra or so to give you some type of sexual activity, it’s not a crime. . . . Doing something or saying something or being a way that makes you uncomfortable is not a crime.”

But we’re not talking about criminal conduct at this stage of the process. The question is whether a civil violation occurred — something that isn’t a crime but that constitutes behavior that would permit the plaintiff to receive fair compensation.

An equally important question for Watson is whether his behavior violates the Personal Conduct Policy. If he arranged massages hoping for a “happy ending” and in so doing connected himself in a way that made multiple massage therapists uncomfortable, that potentially amounts to “conduct that poses a genuine danger to the safety and well-being of another person” and/or “conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL personnel.”

Hardin, Graham, and the rest of Watson’s legal team are paid to advocate for him. That’s what they’re doing. They’re not paid to say, “Look, Deshaun likes getting massages from strangers and having them possibly turn sexual. Sometimes, the massage therapist initiates it. Sometimes, he has to make the first move. Sometimes, the massage therapist may not be interested in doing that. Sometimes, the massage therapist may end up feeling uncomfortable or offended.”

Common sense suggests, based on the 23 claims pending against Watson, that he was doing precisely that. Does anyone believe these massages were therapeutic? He’s a professional athlete. He would want to find one person who consistently gives him the kind of massage that allows him to get the most out of his abilities, not a revolving door of people with varying levels of skill and experience who may or may not enhance his on-field performance — and who potentially could with one wrong move impair it.

He has every right to defend himself against these 23 cases, and to insist that he did nothing wrong before, during, and after the trials. As Hardin says more and more about the situation, however, he’s coming dangerously close to admitting that Watson indeed had a habit of seeking and/or getting “happy endings.” Should anyone be surprised that the therapists who objected to these advances, once they realized that they had rights that could be pursued in court, decided to do so?
Hardin and Graham keep trying to blame attorney Tony Buzbee for basically soliciting plaintiffs with claims against Watson. So what if he did? Turn on the TV and try to watch 20 minutes without seeing a commercial in which a lawyer or a law firm tries to solicit specific types of people with specific types of claims against specific defendants, from asbestos to talcum powder to weed eater to truck accidents to workplace injuries to any type of civil claim a person can make, and from which their lawyers will make money.

Ultimately, the 23 pending cases will go to court and be resolved by a jury unless they are settled. Ultimately, the NFL will make a decision on whether Watson violated the Personal Conduct Policy. If Watson’s defense in the Court of Roger Goodell is, “Did I get a few happy endings? Sure. Was I trying to get even more than that? You bet. But, hey, that’s not a crime,” Watson has little chance at avoiding a lengthy suspension.

This is the point and time when I realized it’s time for Rusty Hardin to retire. You were successful for 80 years Rusty. Not a bad run.
 
Deshaun Watson's attorney explains his remarks about 'happy endings' in massages
Brent Schrotenboer


The attorney for Deshaun Watson caught criticism Friday after he made remarks on a Houston radio station about “happy endings” in massage sessions and said “it’s not a crime” to do something or say something that makes somebody uncomfortable.

The attorney, Rusty Hardin, then clarified his remarks in response to an inquiry from USA TODAY Sports. He said he was speaking hypothetically to make a point and not talking about his client specifically.

He maintains the Cleveland Browns quarterback only engaged in consensual sex on three occasions among the 23 lawsuits that have been filed against him by women who accuse him of sexual misconduct during massage sessions, including exposing himself to them and causing his genitals to touch them. Watson and Hardin continue to deny those allegations.


A "happy ending" in terms of a massage is generally defined as a sex act at the end, according to dictionary.com. After the radio interview, Hardin told USA TODAY Sports he defines “happy endings” as consensual oral sex.

“Happy endings are not a crime, and a happy ending is a consensual happy ending,” Hardin told USA TODAY Sports on Friday after his radio comments were widely circulated on Twitter. “If it’s against the women’s will, it’s not happy because a happy ending has to be consensual on both sides. I’m just using the colloquial word for consensual oral sex. It’s not a crime, if that’s what happened. That’s not either assaultive or a crime. Against her will is wrong, period.”

Here is what Hardin said on Houston radio:

“I don’t know how many men are out there now that have had a massage that perhaps occasionally there was a happy ending … If that has happened, it’s not a crime, OK, unless you are paying somebody extra or so to give you some kind of sexual activity.”

Hardin also said during the radio interview, "Doing something or saying something or being a way that makes you uncomfortable is not a crime. And so we’ve had two grand juries find that, and nobody seems to want to listen.”


Some listeners interpreted that to mean Hardin was saying it was OK to subject these women to unwanted behavior. Hardin said that’s not what he .

“It’s not OK to do anything that the woman does not want to agree to, and the context of it was whether there was consensual oral sex,” Hardin told USA TODAY Sports afterward. “And what I was saying was, if there was consensual oral sex, it’s not a crime and it’s not a basis for a lawsuit.”

Hardin made similar remarks for a story published in April by USA TODAY Sports.

"If a guy goes and gets a massage and hopes maybe that somehow something else will happen, that’s not a crime," Hardin said, speaking in general and not about Watson specifically. "It’s not only not a crime, it’s not a civil liability issue."

The attorney for the women suing Watson pounced on Hardin’s comments Friday nonetheless.

“He singlehandedly is losing the case before we pick a jury,” Tony Buzbee said of Hardin.

Buzbee told USA TODAY Sports the women “didn’t agree to the massages to give Deshaun Watson a happy ending.”

“That Mr. Hardin would suggest that Watson was OK in expecting that kind of conduct is disgusting,” Buzbee said. “I think Mr. Hardin himself in his moment of clarity may have ended Watson’s career.”

The NFL could suspend Watson if he is found to have violated its personal conduct policy. Two grand juries in Texas declined to indict him on criminal charges in March after being presented with 10 combined criminal complaints filed against him by women.
 
Deshaun Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin: “Happy ending” remark was used “hypothetically”
Posted by Mike Florio on June 3, 2022, 6:35 PM EDT

Friday did not have a satisfactory conclusion for lawyer Rusty Hardin.
After his comment during a radio interview regarding “happy endings” during massage sessions not being illegal went viral in a bad way, the attorney representing Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson tried to fix things with a statement issued late in the afternoon.

“Deshaun Watson did nothing wrong,” Hardin said. “And as two grand juries have made clear, Deshaun did nothing illegal. Deshaun has always acknowledged consensual sexual activity with three of the plaintiff massage therapists after massages. And Deshaun has repeatedly sworn under oath that he did not force any of his accusers to have sexual contact.

“On a Houston radio show interview today, I mentioned that a massage that has a ‘happy ending’ is not illegal, meaning it is not illegal for someone to have consensual sex with a therapist after a massage unless the sex is for pay. Deshaun did not pay anyone for sex. I was using the term hypothetically and not describing Deshaun’s case.

“I have reiterated to others it’s not OK to do anything that a woman does not agree to do. These women have alleged assault in their pleadings. I was speaking in a hypothetical situation. If there is a consensual sexual encounter after a massage, that is not a crime nor the basis for a civil lawsuit. I was not talking about what Deshaun did or did not do or expected or did not expect.”

The comment from Hardin nevertheless bolsters the argument that Watson wanted or expected “happy endings,” and that Watson was actively seeking them out. In trying to make a massage turn sexual, Watson potentially offended and/or touched in an unwelcome or unwanted way one or more of the massage therapists with one or more areas of his body.

That’s what the 23 plaintiffs are alleging, that Watson went too far in trying to make the massages a sexual encounter. The mindset bluntly expressed by Hardin’s original comment and more subtly residing in his effort to clean up the mess his remarks made could ultimately bolster the 23 cases pending against Watson. If Watson and Hardin see nothing wrong with a massage becoming sexual and they see nothing wrong with an effort to make a massage become sexual, they fail to comprehend the foundation of the complaints against Watson — that he allegedly crossed the line in trying to get the massages to cross the line.

7XQa.gif
 
There's no way Watson comes out of this unscathed. It's the degree of scathing that we don't know yet.

Here's hoping for the worst scathing possible! :lol:
The dumas acts as thought he thought he could. With his lawyer going all “happy ending” I hope he’s got enough sense to know that ship has sailed
 
I so wish I was a Cleveland Sports reporter. I could work “happy ending” into soooooo many questions.

questions for Watson, questions forhis teammates, questions for the HC, the position coaches, anybody who takes the stand.

in fact, if I were a sports writer for any AFCNorth team, I’d relocate to Cleveland for a couple of months.
 
Over a year ago.............a preview of what was to come............

****************************************************************

Deshaun Watson's Lawyer Calling Himself an Idiot Can't Be a Good Sign
In this weekend's Hot Clicks: Rusty Hardin says he is "an idiot about modern communication," whatever happened 'Sports Jeopardy!' and more.

Rusty Hardin Is an Idiot

His words, not mine.

Deshaun Watson hired Rusty Hardin last month as he mounted a civil defense to allegations of sexual assault by nine different women. Four weeks later, Watson is now facing allegations from 23 different women, 22 of whom have filed lawsuits against the Houston Texans’ quarterback. The 22nd lawsuit was made public on Monday, one hour after the Houston Police Department announced an investigation into a complaint against Watson.

Since the first lawsuit was filed on March 16, in which Ashley Solis said Watson touched her with his penis during a massage therapy session, there has been significant attention on Instagram communication between Watson and the alleged victims. And while there are many elements to the allegations and legal defense, it’s clear Instagram messages and “modern communications” will play a big role.

“Millennials live on Instagram. Those of you who are millennials know that. Those of you who are not have probably discovered it long before I,” Hardin said during a press conference on Friday. “They do business on it. Deshaun lives on Instagram. He does business transactions on Instagram. Other people do. I’m discovering a much more prevalent use of it than I had any idea. I’m not on Instagram. I don’t do Twitter. I’m not on Facebook. I am an idiot about modern communications. But what I’ve learned is everyone else is not.”

During a press conference in which he is discussing a case that includes a lot of “modern communications,” the defendant’s lawyer tells everyone he’s an idiot with “modern communications.”
****************************************************************

.........And now Hardin has proven he is also an idiot with "the classic king's English" communications
 
Florio:

Hardin boasted again during Friday’s radio appearance in Houston that Buzbee wanted confidentiality because he didn’t want the public to know how little his clients got. By October, that number became $100,000 each.

Today, it would probably require the attachment of another zero to get each of the cases resolved.

............likely even more.
 
Rusty mentioned something about it’s not illegal unless you pay extra. He was stupid to say that because Watson paid Solis more than she charged even though nothing happened.
No. He obviously offered her more because he was so happy she cut the session short and told him to get dressed and leave.:bubble:
 
Something that was never really circulated.

*************************************************
An Open Letter to Jilly Anais From a Deshaun Watson Accuser

LISTEN UP
One of the 22 women who’ve filed civil lawsuits against the NFL quarterback alleging sexual misconduct has a message for his girlfriend, “Boss Babe” influencer Jilly Anais.

Jane Doe
Published Jan. 13, 2022 4:58AM ET
She says...

I do not yet know if I can heal from this, but I believe you can. You have everything; you can have real, pure, faithful love too.

However, truth is Ms Jilly is most likely broken herself, from something preceding DW4 & therefore finds comfort in that, more than likely, broken relationship
 
Back
Top