Police open investigation into sexual misconduct allegations in opposition to Joshua Primo

SAN ANTONIO — Police have begun investigating allegations that former San Antonio Spurs guard Joshua Primo uncovered himself on a number of events to a former crew therapist throughout counseling periods.

Dr. Hillary Cauthen filed a lawsuit in opposition to the Spurs and Primo, claiming the 19-year-old uncovered his genitals to her 9 instances throughout a number of periods.

Along with the civil criticism that was filed Thursday in Bexar County, which incorporates San Antonio, Cauthen filed a prison criticism in opposition to Primo.

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Workplace instructed The Related Press it “has made contact with the sufferer concerned within the Joshua Primo incident.” The sheriff’s workplace referred to as it a “preliminary investigation into the allegations” in opposition to Primo.

In her lawsuit, the crew’s former efficiency psychologist mentioned the Spurs did nothing to self-discipline Primo or tackle her issues “regardless of her quite a few complaints about Primo’s improper sexual conduct.”

Cauthen mentioned she had knowledgeable and requested a gathering with Spurs basic supervisor Brian Wright after what she described as Primo’s first incident of indecent publicity in December 2021. She mentioned her request for a gathering in January was postponed by Wright till March, throughout which period Cauthen continued to counsel Primo regardless of her issues.

Cauthen mentioned her position with the crew was marginalized within the months that adopted, culminating in her contract not being renewed in August.

Cauthen mentioned she was indignant, confused and unhappy that Primo had not confronted any self-discipline for his actions till the Spurs launched him an hour earlier than their Oct. 28 house sport in opposition to Chicago. Primo cleared waivers on Monday however has not signed with one other crew.

In an announcement launched shortly after Cauthen’s information convention, Spurs CEO R.C. Buford mentioned the franchise disagrees “with the accuracy of info, particulars and timeline introduced at present.”

San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich, talking earlier than Friday evening’s sport in opposition to the Clippers, mentioned he couldn’t touch upon when he was first knowledgeable about Primo’s alleged habits and what actions the Spurs did or didn’t take as a result of it’s now a authorized matter. Popovich did say the Spurs have lengthy labored to take care of a wholesome work setting.

“I might solely add that anyone that has noticed the Spurs over a really lengthy time frame is aware of that an accusation like this could be taken very critically, with none doubt in any respect,” Popovich mentioned. “No equivocation, the Spurs group could be on prime of it. I’m completely assured that the women and men on the managerial workers that handled and are coping with this did so purposefully, effectively, promptly and did it with the utmost care for everyone involved, the accuser, the accused, the folks within the group, to guarantee that all people nonetheless felt snug and secure. I am going to simply depart my feedback at that.”

Popovich has been an outspoken advocate for civil rights and for numerous social causes. The assertion that the Spurs turned a blind eye to Cauthen’s accusations has troubled the crew’s followers.

“The one factor I might say to the followers is to think about the assertion I simply made about how we have dealt with issues over a few years,” Popovich mentioned. “So far as the small print, I feel they know intellectually, like all of us do, that it is within the fingers of the attorneys. We won’t say something. That just about cuts every little thing off. I might think about that over time particulars are going to return out, they all the time do. Everyone has to only anticipate that.”