SAN ANTONIO – Police begin investigating allegations against former San Antonio Spurs guard Joshua Primo He exposed himself on several occasions to a former group therapist in counseling sessions.
Dr. Hilary Cowton filed a lawsuit against Spurs and Primo, stating that he exposed the 19-year-old’s genitals nine times in several sessions.
In addition to the civil complaint filed Thursday in Bexar County, which includes San Antonio, Catton filed a criminal complaint against Primo.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office told The Associated Press it “made contact with the victim involved in the Joshua Primo incident.” The sheriff’s office called Primo a “preliminary investigation into the allegations.”
The lawsuit alleges that Spurs, the team’s former performance psychologist, did nothing to discipline Primo or address her concerns “despite multiple complaints about Primo’s inappropriate sexual behavior.”
Kath said she notified and asked to meet with Spurs general manager Brian Wright in December 2021 after Primo first disclosed the indecent exposure. Despite her apprehension, she continues to advise Primo.
Cawthon’s role with the team was sidelined in the following months, and her contract was not renewed in August.
Cawton said Primo was not disciplined for his actions on Oct. 28, an hour before their home game against Chicago. Primo cleared negotiations Monday but did not sign with another team.
In a statement released shortly after Cawthon’s news conference, Spurs CEO RC Buford said the franchise “does not agree with the accuracy of the facts, details and timeline presented today.”
Speaking before Friday night’s game against the Clippers, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich could not comment on Primo’s alleged behavior and what action the Spurs did and did not take when he was first told because it is now a legal matter. Popovich said the Spurs have long worked to maintain a healthy work environment.
“I’ll just add that anyone who has followed the Spurs for any length of time knows that an accusation like this is undoubtedly taken very seriously,” Popovich said. “There is no fraud, the Spurs organization will be on top of it. I am absolutely certain that the men and women in the management staff who looked at this and dealt with it did it deliberately, efficiently, quickly and with great care. Everyone involved, the accuser, the accused, the people in the organization, everybody. It’s still to make him feel comfortable and safe.I’ll just leave my opinion.
Popovich was an outspoken advocate for civil rights and various social causes. Claims that Spurs turned a blind eye to Cowton’s allegations have troubled the team’s fans.
“The only thing I would say to the fans is to consider my statement about how we’ve handled things over the years,” Popovich said. “As for the details, I think they know intellectually that it’s in the hands of the lawyers, as we all know. We can’t say anything. That pretty much cuts everything off. I think over time details will go. They always do to get out. Everyone just has to wait for that.”