Joshua Primo, the former San Antonio Spurs guard who was recently cut from the roster after being accused of exposing himself to a team therapist, is now speaking out to defend himself. In a statement from his attorney on Thursday, Primo said Dr. Hillary Cauthen launched the accusations to use “ugly stereotypes and racially charged fears” for her own financial gain.
“Dr. Cauthen’s allegations are either a complete fabrication, a gross embellishment or utter fantasy,” the attorney stated. “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.”
Cauthen, who filed a lawsuit against the San Antonio Spurs in Bexar County, Texas, stated that she’s not seeking monetary damages, The Daily Beast reports.
Instead, Cauthen said she wants accountability from the San Antonio Spurs. The 40-year-old mother of four said the team cut her from a “dream job” despite her being a victim of alleged sex crimes.
According to the lawsuit, the Spurs covered up the alleged harassment a year ago and didn’t renew Cauthen’s contract for the upcoming season.
Cauthen repeatedly told team officials that Primo was exposing his genitals to her, and they assured her the problem would be addressed, but nothing changed, the lawsuit states.
“The Spurs organization was willing to sacrifice Dr. Cauthen to keep what they hoped would one day be a star player,” the complaint states. “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.”
Primo, who started his second season with the Spurs in October, gave a brief statement shortly after he was released.
“I know that you all are surprised by today’s announcement,” Primo told ESPN. “I’ve been seeking help to deal with previous trauma I suffered and will now take this time to focus on my mental health treatment more fully.”
Cauthen said Primo exposed his genitals to her nine times during therapy sessions, which aimed to address the athlete’s rough childhood.
A source who spoke with TMZ said Primo had a “wardrobe malfunction” when he was “laying down on a couch in basketball shorts.”
Cauthen has hired Tony Buzbee, the attorney who recently represented several women who brought accusations against NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Buzbee organized a press conference for Cauthen on Thursday.
“The organization I worked for has failed me. … It took the Spurs 10 months to do the right thing. And that’s too long,” Cauthen said at the press conference.
A woman in Nevada and another in Minnesota have also accused Primo, saying he recently exposed his genitals to them, The Daily Beast reports.
