Deshaun Watson’s legal troubles are far from over.
Watson, who is currently serving an 11-game suspension after settling with 23 massage therapists, is facing new sexual misconduct accusations.
A massage therapist has come forward to claim Watson forced her into performing oral sex during massage session back in 2020.
A new lawsuit has been filed in Texas against Browns QB Deshaun Watson, according to court records. A massage therapist (Jane Doe) says she was pressured into performing oral sex on Watson in Dec. 2020 during the massage session.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) October 14, 2022
Here are the details of the latest lawsuit.
Via WKYC Cleveland
According to the filing, Watson reached out to the plaintiff via Instagram on Dec. 17, 2020, to ask about possible massage services, something Watson has been accused of doing in prior suits. The woman had been working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was “actively trying to grow her business,” and was “excited and encouraged” that a professional athlete like Watson would seek her services.
The two allegedly met the next day for an appointment at the Houstonian hotel. As she was setting up her equipment, the woman claims Watson came out of the bathroom wearing only a towel and later “continually pressured [her] into massaging his private area.” Watson then allegedly asked the plaintiff to have sex with him, and although she says refused to acquiesce to all of his requests, “he was able to pressure her into oral sex.”
Watson then paid the woman $300 for the massage (more than double the normal rate) and left, with the plaintiff later saying he kept texting her and even asked to see her again. The lawsuit says the woman is now seeking “minimal compensatory damages” but lambasted Watson for “[using] his celebrity to take advantage of a young woman working hard for her success.”
Apparently several teams were sure Watson would be facing more civil lawsuits from 20-21.
Dating back to free agency, sources at several teams interested in Watson said they would brace for more civil suits coming from the 2020-21 timeframe.
Watson is currently serving an 11-game suspension. He can return to practice Nov. 14 and is expected to play Dec. 4.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) October 14, 2022
Before trading for Watson, Browns executive Andrew Berry said the team had done extensive research into Watson’s accusations and were comfortable with signing him.
Via ESPN
“We have done extensive investigative, legal and reference work over the past several months to provide us with the appropriate information needed to make an informed decision about pursuing him and moving forward with him as our quarterback,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said in a statement. “Deshaun has been among the very best at the position and he understands the work needed to re-establish himself on and off the field in Cleveland. We are confident that he will make positive contributions to our team and community as we support his return to football.”