3 more women are suing Texans quarterback, alleging sexual assault
Note: This story contains graphic content.
Nineteen women have now accused Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault after three massage therapists filed separate lawsuits Sunday night.
As in many of the earlier claims, the latest lawsuits involve massage therapists who said Watson assaulted or harassed them during sessions at various points in 2020. But in the most recent litigation, lawyers for the women say Watson is deleting Instagram messages and contacting some of the women in an attempt to settle their cases.
Watson and his attorney, Rusty Hardin, have denied the allegations of sexual assault, and Hardin on Monday afternoon issued a statement in response to the claim of deleting messages.
“Like a lot of people, Deshaun regularly deletes past Instagram messages,” Hardin said. “That said, he has not deleted any messages since March 15th, the day before the first lawsuit was filed. We categorically deny that he has reached out directly to his accusers in an attempt to settle these cases.”
Well-known Houston attorney
Tony Buzbee, a former mayoral candidate, is representing the women. He said his clients are seeking minimum compensation.
“Plaintiffs have not brought these cases for money or attention; instead plaintiffs seek a change in behavior with regard to Watson, and a change of culture in the NFL,” the 19th lawsuit reads.
Hardin on Monday questioned the authenticity of Buzbee’s statements about money.
“Opposing counsel’s continued statements that these cases aren’t about money do not square with the facts in at least two of these cases,” he said. “It is incredibly ir
responsible to continue to make these types of false allegations in this avalanche of anonymous lawsuits, particularly while we are still trying to find out who the accusers are. We will address these issues, and others raised in these cases, in our formal response to the court in the coming weeks.”
Most of the women allege in their lawsuits that Watson messaged them on social media to set up massage sessions. During the meetings, Watson “aggressively” dictated what he wanted them to do, making them uncomfortable and in some cases ejaculating on them or touching their hands with his penis, they said.
Two of the women have accused Watson of forcing them or trying to make them perform oral sex. Watson’s camp claims one of those women previously blackmailed Watson after what they called a “consensual”
sexual encounter.
One of the newest suits, all of which were made public on Monday, involves a licensed massage therapist who said she gave Watson three massages on unspecified dates. He came to her through the suggestion of a mutual friend, and during the sessions, including at least one at her home, he exposed himself and purposely touched her with his penis, she alleges in the lawsuit.
“By the end of the third session, Plaintiff finally concluded that Watson wanted sex,” the lawsuit reads.
The second woman, a massage therapy student, said she previously knew Watson through mutual friends and held two sessions in November 2020 at her mother’s house in Pearland. He purposely touched her with his penis and ejaculated onto her, she claims.
Before the first massage, Watson texted her, “…I even have a NDA I have therapist sign too,” according to the lawsuit. She said he left the document, a non-disclosure agreement, on the table for her to sign.
The third woman, a licensed massage therapist, said Watson exposed himself and touched her with his penis during an October 2020 session at her office.
The litigation comes as Watson, 25, tries to negotiate an exit from the Texans. He requested a trade in January.
The lawsuits have remained a civil matter with no criminal charges filed. Buzbee has said he will turn over a packet of information to law enforcement authorities asking for an investigation and a grand jury to be empaneled. The Houston Police Department has said they haven’t received information from Buzbee regarding the lawsuits.
The NFL is investigating the legal matter under its personal-conduct policy.