Deshaun Watson, currently serving an 11-game suspension from the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, is facing a new lawsuit alleging sexual assault.
The Browns quarterback previously faced 24 civil cases, settling all but one, that claimed sexual misconduct, harassment and/or assault, with the first incident allegedly occurring in March 2020. Watson denied the allegations.
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The newest lawsuit, filed in Texas, alleges that Watson sexually assaulted a massage therapist in December 2020 while he was still a member of the Texans. The accuser alleges that Watson had reached out to her via Instagram direct message.
Here’s the latest on the situation:
What is alleged in the latest lawsuit filed against Deshaun Watson?
A new civil lawsuit was filed Thursday in Texas alleging that in December 2020, Watson forced a massage therapist (identified in the lawsuit as “Jane Doe”) to give him oral sex.
Unlike Watson’s previous accusers, Jane Doe is represented by Anissah M. Nguyen, who issued a statement Thursday.
Statement from the woman’s attorney, Anissah M. Nguyen, says they are “in the early stages of litigation” but will seek to despose Deshaun Watson “before the end of the year.” pic.twitter.com/IcSG0Cx1P8
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) October 14, 2022
My client’s experience with DeShaun Watson follows a series of disturbingly similar encounters reported by more than 20 women who have filed suit against the NFL superstar. Like so many others, my client spent nearly two years struggling to cope with trauma from all that he stole from her, and the daily pain that has become here reality.
Knowing her story will bring on the hard conversations, criticism and even victim-baiting, the strength and bravery of these other women gave my client the courage to stand up and speak out. She seeks justice not only for her self and her own healing, but for the more than 20 women who refused to be shamed into silence, and the victims who have yet to come forward.
We are still in the early stages of litigation, but we will seek to depose Mr. Watson before the end of the year.
Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee represented the other accusers.
Watson’s 11-game suspension was agreed upon by the quarterback and the NFL after the league appealed the six-game suspension levied by former federal judge Sue L. Robinson, who oversaw Watson’s disciplinary hearing. The league was seeking at least a one-year ban.
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As part of the settlement agreement, the league will neither investigate nor discipline Watson for any new lawsuits that may arise, including this one, meaning his 11-game suspension will remain such.
The settlement covers the four cases Judge Sue L. Robinson ruled on, as well as any substantially similar violations before the date of the agreement (Aug. 18). So, any new allegations of the same conduct from 2019-2021 wouldn’t be subject to NFL investigation or discipline.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 19, 2022
Watson, the Browns and the NFL have yet to comment on the latest lawsuit.
