Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Spurs, Primo sued over exposure allegations

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Thursday, 03 November 2022 10:56

A former clinical psychologist for the San Antonio Spurs filed a lawsuit on Thursday morning alleging that the organization "ignored her repeated reports of indecent exposure" by Joshua Primo, the 2021 lottery pick who was released by the team last week.

According to the lawsuit, Primo exposed himself to Dr. Hillary Cauthen a total of nine times. The first incident allegedly occurred during a psychological session with Primo in December of 2021 and was reported to Spurs management in January 2022.

"Rather than act on Dr. Cauthen's reports, the Spurs ignored her complaints, hoping the organization could ignore and then cover up Primo's actions," the lawsuit filed in Bexar County, Texas, states. "The Spurs organization was willing to sacrifice Dr. Cauthen to keep what they hoped would one day be a star player.

"Once Primo's conduct entered the public sphere, the Spurs were forced to act and release Primo. The Spurs' recent actions with regard to Primo are too little, too late. The Spurs' public statement about Primo's departure is a complete farce. The Spurs' conduct sends a strong message that they, like other major sports organizations, are willing to tolerate abhorrent conduct on the part of athletes and sacrifice loyal employees, so long as the athlete is successful on the court."

The attorney for Primo, William J. Briggs, denied the allegations in a statement.

"In an act of betrayal against her young client, Dr. Cauthen, who is 40 years old, falsely claims Josh Primo exposed himself to her during the course of her numerous therapy sessions," Briggs' statement said. "Dr. Cauthen's allegations are either a complete fabrication, a gross embellishment or utter fantasy. Josh Primo never intentionally exposed himself to her or anyone else and was not even aware that his private parts were visible outside of his workout shorts.

"What makes the allegations even less credible is that Dr. Cauthen never informed her patient of the purported exposure. Dr. Cauthen was Mr. Primo's mental health support provider and confidant; a therapist who Mr. Primo trusted. She is much older than Mr. Primo, with many years of experience as a sports psychologist. It is baffling why she did not bother to tell her patient that his private parts were visible underneath his shorts."

Buzbee said Cauthen intends to file a criminal complaint against Primo.

Primo, the No. 12 overall pick in the 2021 draft, was released Friday, less than three weeks after the Spurs exercised his third-year team option guaranteeing a $4.3 million salary for the 2023-24 season.

Spurs CEO RC Buford cited the "best interest of both the organization and Joshua" in a statement from the team announcing his release.

According to Buzbee, Primo was waived just days after he allegedly exposed himself to another woman during the Spurs' trip to Minnesota last week, when Primo was held out of San Antonio's loss. Buzbee said Primo also allegedly committed indecent exposure in Las Vegas in July while there for the NBA's summer league.

"Josh Primo's conduct is well outside of the bounds of what is normal and acceptable," Buzbee said in a Thursday morning news conference at his office in Houston. "His conduct shocks the conscience. I would also say that the Spurs' conduct, the way they handled this conduct, was egregious and absolutely unreasonable."

Buzbee, who also represents the women who have alleged sexual misconduct by suspended Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, said that there will be a criminal complaint with multiple counts of indecent exposure filed against Primo in Bexar County and that Cauthen would cooperate with authorities within the bounds of laws regarding confidentiality between a patient and psychologist.

Cauthen was hired by the Spurs in April 2021. Her employment with the organization ended when her contract was not renewed in August 2022

Buzbee specifically cited Spurs general manager Brian Wright, as well as the team's general counsel, deputy general counsel and head of human relations, for failing to appropriately respond when Cauthen informed them of Primo's conduct. Buzbee said Cauthen was told in June that coach Gregg Popovich was aware of the issue, but Buzbee added that, "We may have concluded here that they were lying."

Buzbee said that instead of addressing the problem with Primo, Spurs management told Cauthen "to sit it out," telling her she could work from home and that the team had "lost trust in her."

"The right thing is saying 'No, this is not okay,' to hold people accountable, to make systemic change and to protect those that suffer in silence," Cauthen said at the news conference. "The right thing is also saying 'I'm sorry. I have failed you and we need to do better.

"The organization I worked for has failed me. ... I spoke up. I asked for help. I gave options. My voice and my feelings, my actionable items, were silenced. Due to their inaction and protection of their assets, other individuals were impacted, and for that I am truly sorry."

Read 127 times

Soccer

Breaking down the Premier League title race, and why Arsenal could edge Man City

Breaking down the Premier League title race, and why Arsenal could edge Man City

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHollywood might struggle to match what looks like being an edge-of-...

Sources: Giroud finalizing DP deal with LAFC

Sources: Giroud finalizing DP deal with LAFC

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMLS side LAFC is finalizing a deal with AC Milan and France interna...

Purce out for Olympics, NWSL season with ACL

Purce out for Olympics, NWSL season with ACL

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNJ/NY Gotham FC and United States women's national team winger Midg...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

Basketball

MPJ defends brother amid betting investigation

MPJ defends brother amid betting investigation

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDenver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. said Wednesday night that...

Rockets, with play-in in sight, win 10th straight

Rockets, with play-in in sight, win 10th straight

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOKLAHOMA CITY -- Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, front offic...

Baseball

Athletics' Andújar has surgery, could miss month

Athletics' Andújar has surgery, could miss month

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOAKLAND, Calif. -- Athletics outfielder Miguel Andujar had surgery...

Boone to Soto: Don't defer to Yankees veterans

Boone to Soto: Don't defer to Yankees veterans

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOn the eve of the New York Yankees' season opener at Minute Maid Pa...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated