HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) -- Rusty Hardin said he did not want to address reporters on Wednesday, but felt the need to speak on what he called "breathless coverage" of an FBI investigation into Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Audacy Sports legal analyst Amy Dash reported Tuesday that the FBI had spoken on at least three occasions to Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing 22 women suing Watson for sexual assault and harassment.
Hardin said while he was not aware of this before Dash's report, he welcomes any inquiry into Watson because he believes his client has done nothing wrong.
One way Hardin tried to illustrate this point was by noting the FBI contacted him in April regarding one of the plaintiffs, Shenee Lawson, who was the first to claim Watson assaulted her by force or coercion.
Hardin read text messages he said were sent from Lawson to Watson following their December 2020 massage appointment, in which she tried to schedule more appointments.
According to Hardin, the FBI was looking into whether Lawson was trying to extort Watson (this is one of the encounters Watson's legal team has claimed was consensual).
"Until yesterday, I did not know that they were also apparently -- and I have no reason to doubt this now -- they are apparently also investigating Mr. Buzbee's allegations (against Watson)," Hardin said. "But I'm glad to hear they are. I wasn't aware of it, but we wouldn't be aware of it. They wouldn't tell us. They shouldn't. They're conducting a private investigation.
"And I'm delighted they are, because we want everything to come out."
In a petition filed in April, Lawson said her session with Watson escalated when he "forcefully" told her to move her hands from his abdomen to pubic area.
The petition claims "at that point, Watson was in control."
Lawson's petition states Watson instructed her to slide her hand across his genitals, at which point she started shaking and showing clear signs of fear.
"(Lawson) felt intimidated and threatened," the petition states. "She was afraid of what someone like Watson could do if she did not submit to his demands."
That's when the petition says Lawson was coerced into performing a sex act for Watson.
Hardin read text messages he says contradict this version of events, which is something that will play out in court.
For now, the attorney is asking everyone to calm down, since there has been no significant development in the case.
The FBI inquiry, according to Hardin, is just the bureau doing its due diligence investigating both sides of the issue.
Hardin said he is not aware if a grand jury is currently considering a case against Watson.
Hardin's team of attorneys have shared information with the Houston Police Department, he said, and he also met once with Johna Stallings, the chief Harris County prosecutor for human trafficking.
"That does not mean they are contending there is human trafficking going on," Hardin said. "That's who she is. Mr. Buzbee has made that allegation. I'm sure the FBI will look into it. But at the end of the day, we're going to continue cooperate with her. She's assured me that they would be fair. They would be open-minded to both sides and that they would treat both sides respectfully. And I take her at her word. The police has said the same thing. The FBI has said the same thing and I take them all at their word.
"They need to be left to look at these things in a very confidential and careful, professional way. Going out and talking about this stuff does no one any good. I remain absolutely, irrevocably convinced Deshaun Watson did nothing illegal or improper. And I'm confident that all of those investigations will show that."
On the field, Watson has been kept away from the public at Texans practices since a brief outburst to reporters last Friday, when the disgruntled franchise quarterback who has requested a trade and is facing sexual misconduct allegations by more than 20 women questioned why he was being filmed every day.
Head coach David Culley said Tuesday that Watson is attending meetings, doing what he's asked to do and is not injured.
The NFL has spoken with at least 10 of the 22 plaintiffs, according to Sports Illustrated, but have not yet interviewed Watson.
Hardin said the reason for this is to not interfere with the open criminal investigation.
In truly dramatic fashion, Hardin made a Rodney King reference toward the end of his remarks Wednesday at his downtown high-rise office space.
"My version would be not 'can we all just get along' but can we all just calm down?" Hardin said. "It's nothing new about this."