This episode is about the 22 lawsuits (filed so far) against Texans QB Deshaun Watson in the last month in civil court in Houston, alleging assault, sexual assault, and inappropriate behavior. 

Mike's guest is Steph Stradley, a Houston-based sportswriter and lawyer at the Stradley Law Firm. She often does legal explainers for fans regarding sports discipline issues, contracts, investigations, and practical aspects of the law. She has a detailed FAQ post about the Watson lawsuits that can be found here.

(0:54 ) Mike provides the background on the lawsuits that have been filed against Watson.

(3:43 ) What exactly do we know so far?

(7:12 ) The plaintiff's lawyer, Tony Buzbee, held a news conference on Tuesday in which two of Watson's accusers revealed their names and gave their stories. Mike and Steph discuss the impact of this news conference and how it has altered the course of this story.

(10:55 ) Will we learn anything once Watson formally responds to the lawsuits in court?

(12:50 ) Is it possible to maintain a wait-and-see approach with this story, with more information entering the public sphere every day?

(18:01 ) Mike and Steph discuss Rusty Hardin (Watson's lawyer)'s response to Buzbee's Tuesday news conference. 

(27:35 ) How difficult is it for the defense to "prove a negative" in these types of cases?

(31:35 ) Are some of the lawsuits more concerning than others? Can we tell that at this point?

(34:10 ) A complainant has come forward to the Houston Police Department, who are now investigating Deshaun Watson. How does this type of investigation work?

(39:41 ) What is the NFL's Commissioner's Exempt List, and why does it matter in this case?

(45:16 ) Some have suggested that Watson needs to settle these claims as soon as possible. Is that possible? How quickly could a settlement be reached?

(50:35 ) Mike and Steph took a variety of Twitter Q and As, including the following topics: Hardin's current quality as an attorney, why Watson couldn't stop the news conference, the projected legal paths forward, Watson possibly staying with the Texans, and whether or not the Mann Act applies to this situation.         

(1:09:32 ) Mike's concluding thoughts on what will happen moving forward with the Watson lawsuits. 

​The Mike Meltser Podcast is brought to you by Alamo Remedy CBD.

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Music Credit:

Slow Burn by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4372-slow-burn

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/