by Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich spoke on Friday about the lawsuit filed a day earlier by a former team psychologist against former franchise and former player Joshua Primo alleging incidents of indecent exposure, which he claims the Spurs ignored and tried to cover up. Popovich said he stands by the statement the franchise released in response
Dr. Hillary Cowten, a licensed, certified clinical psychologist, said Primo—who resigned from the Spurs on Oct. 28—exposed his genitals to her nine times during their one-on-one sessions, according to treatment. Cauthen, who began a contract with the Spurs in September 2021, first reported Primo’s behavior in January and later made “multiple complaints” to multiple people in San Antonio leadership, including general manager Brian Wright. March and Deputy General Counsel Brandon James and Chief Human Resources Officer Kara Allen in May regarding alleged sexual misconduct.
However, Cauthen ended up losing her “dream job” after the franchise allegedly ignored her reports of Primo’s lewd behavior. Instead of addressing Cauthen’s complaints, the lawsuit says, the Spurs hoped the organization could “ignore and then cover up Primo’s action.”
Ahead of the Spurs’ home game against the Clippers on Friday, Popovich was asked who on the franchise knew about the allegations. He told reporters that he wasn’t going to dive into the situation and that he was in the “Lawyers’ hands.” However, it stood by the statement the organization released Thursday in response to the lawsuit.
“I would just add that anyone who has watched the Spurs for a very long time knows that a charge like this is going to be taken very seriously,” Popovich said. he said. “I am absolutely confident that the men and women on the management staff who are and are dealing with this, they did it deliberately, efficiently, promptly and they did it with the utmost care for all concerned – the accuser, the accused, the people in organization to make sure everyone still feels comfortable and safe.”
On Thursday the organization issued a statement saying it disagreed with the “accuracy of the facts, details and timeline” of the lawsuit but would allow the legal process to proceed.
“Our organization remains committed to the highest standards and will continue to live up to our values and culture,” the statement reading.
Tony Buzbee, the attorney who represented more than two dozen women who filed lawsuits against Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, and Cauthen announced the lawsuit during a news conference Thursday and said criminal charges will be filed on multiple counts of indecent exposure. per His Tom Orsborne San Antonio Express-News.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office is investigating Primo, he confirmed The Athlete Friday.
According to the suit, Allen and James informed Cauthen that “despite her complaints, Primo would continue to participate in group activities.” However, Cauthen was reportedly told later in June that Popovich “knew of her complaint and allegations and wanted to do right by her.” According to Orsborn, it’s the only time Popovich is mentioned in the lawsuit.
Primo’s attorney, William J. Briggs II, issued a statement Thursday, responding to the lawsuit saying his client “never intentionally exposed himself to her or anyone else” and “didn’t even know his private parts were visible outside of his workout shorts.”
“[Primo] now he is being victimized by his former team-appointed sports psychologist who is playing on ugly stereotypes and racist fears for her own financial gain,” Briggs wrote. “Dr. Cauthen’s claims are either complete fabrication, gross embellishment, or sheer fantasy.’
Cauthen did not attend the team’s Summer League game in July, a decision made by the Spurs. She also claimed the organization told her she was “unable to do her job in a professional manner because of the lack of trust between her and the team,” the lawsuit states. through Orsborn.
When Primo resigned a week ago, the lawsuit said the 19-year-old had reported “at least two other incidents of exposure.” One of the two incidents happened in Nevada and the other in Minnesota.
