Five more women filed civil lawsuits against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson
on Monday in Texas, alleging sexual misconduct or assault.
Watson, 25, is now being sued in Harris County District Court by a dozen women, including six massage therapists, for sexual misconduct and assault.
The allegations are based on two separate alleged events that occurred on March 30, 2020. One of the women who filed the lawsuit on Monday claims that the quarterback touched her with his genitals in a March 4 incident.
Watson issued a statement on social media last week denying any misconduct, writing that he had “never treated
any woman with anything less than the utmost respect.” Rusty Hardin, Watson’s attorney, issued a statement on
Friday urging the public to “keep an open mind” until Watson responds to the charges this week.
In part of the statement, Hardin said, “I’m extremely proud to represent Deshaun Watson and totally stand behind
him against what we think are baseless accusations.”
Last week, the NFL announced that it is looking into the matter.
Tony Buzbee, a millionaire attorney and former Houston mayoral candidate, is representing all 12 of the unidentified
women who have filed suit against Watson. He said at a news conference on Friday that his firm was also in talks
with “more than ten” other women.
Buzbee also stated on Friday that “our next step” would be to send evidence and affidavits to the Houston Police Department and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, which would then decide whether or not to file a criminal case against Watson.
