Psychologist sues the NBA’s Spurs and ex-team guard Josh Primo over claims he exposed himself

The woman who accused former San Antonio Spurs guard Josh Primo of exposing himself is now suing the 19-year-old free agent and the NBA team, which she says ‘ignored her repeated reports of indecent exposure.’

Lawyers working on behalf of psychologist Hillary Cauthen filed the lawsuit on her behalf in Bexar County (Texas) on Thursday. Cauthen claims that Primo exposed himself to her nine times during private sessions beginning in December of 2021.  She also made reference in her lawsuit to other women who have reportedly accused the Toronto native of exposure. 

Primo was released by the team Friday after the accusations surfaced, publicly.

‘The Spurs organization was willing to sacrifice Dr. Cauthen to keep what they hoped would one day be a star player,’ read the lawsuit, provided to DailyMail.com. ‘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 psychologist was hired by the Spurs in 2021, but her employment with the team ended when her contract was not renewed in August of 2022. 

Cauthen’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, said at a press conference on Thursday that he plans to file a criminal complaint against Primo. 

At Thursday’s press conference, Buzbee cited Spurs general manager Brian Wright, as well as the team’s general counsel, deputy general counsel and head of human relations for neglecting to respond to Cauthen’s complaints about Primo. 

Cauthen claims she was told in June that Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was aware of the allegations, but Buzbee shed some doubt on that Thursday.  

‘We may have concluded here that they [the Spurs] were lying,’ Buzbee said.

The woman who accused former San Antonio Spurs guard Josh Primo of exposing himself is now suing the 19-year-old free agent and the NBA team, which she says ‘ignored her repeated reports of indecent exposure’

Lawyers working on behalf of psychologist Hillary Cauthen (left, Thursday, and right) filed the lawsuit on her behalf in Bexar County (Texas) on Thursday

Primo’s attorney, William J. Briggs, has released a statement defending the former Spurs player. Specifically, Briggs claimed that his client never exposed himself to her, and instead simply had a wardrobe malfunction. 

‘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 said. ‘Dr. Cauthen’s allegations are either a complete fabrication, a gross embellishment, or an utter fantasy.

‘She is much older than Mr. Primo, with many years of experience as a sports psychologist,’ Briggs continued. ‘It is baffling why she did not bother to tell her patient that his private parts were visible underneath his shorts.

‘Josh Primo is at the beginning of a promising career and has been devastated by these false allegations and release by the Spurs.

‘He is in the process of seeking treatment to deal with the trauma inflicted on him by Cauthen’s misleading allegations, in addition to the previous trauma he suffered as a child. He looks forward to clearing his name and to moving forward with his NBA career.’

According to Cauthen, Primo exposed his genitals a total of nine times during private sessions

Buzbee held a press conference Thursday to address the lawsuit, accusing the team of refusing to act against Primo for 10 months. 

‘Josh Primo’s conduct is well outside of the bounds of what is normal and acceptable,’ Buzbee said. ‘His conduct shocks the conscience. I would also say that the Spurs’ conduct, the way they handled this conduct, was egregious and absolutely unreasonable.’ 

Primo’s attorney, William J. Briggs, has released a statement defending the former Spurs player. Specifically, Briggs claimed that his client never exposed himself to her, and instead simply had a wardrobe malfunction

Buzbee previously represented the 24 women who sued NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson over allegations of sexual misconduct. Since the lawsuits were filed last year, 23 of the women have since settled with Watson, who now plays for the Cleveland Browns. 

Cauthen also addressed reporters on Thursday, condemning the Spurs for failing to act on her complaints about Primo. 

‘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. ‘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,’ she continued. ‘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.’

Cauthen claims her breaking point with the team came in July, when she told the Spurs she was frustrated by their inaction, only to have her professional ability questioned. 

‘ She made clear that she wanted changes, and consequences,’ read the lawsuot. ‘They in turn informed her that she would not be attending the 2022 Summer League season, which was to take place July 7-17, 2022 in Las Vegas. They told her that they now felt she was unable to do her job in a professional manner due to what was now a lack of trust between her and the team. They thus suggested she ”sit out.”’

Cauthen claims she was told in June that Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich (right) was aware of the allegations against Primo (left), but Buzbee shed some doubt on that Thursday