According to lawsuits filed Monday, five more women came forward to accuse Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct during massage sessions.
According to the women, who are all represented by Houston’s attorney, Anthony Buzbee, the plaintiffs all said Watson exposed himself or indicated sexual services during sessions or specifically asked for sexual services.
In these latest civil lawsuits filed in Harris County District Court, four women said they were victimized by Watson on January 21 and March 5 this year and around July and August 2 last year.
A fifth woman said Watson behaved inappropriately during a hearing in June last year and then again on August 17, her lawsuit said.
“Watson is in the sex trade. He needs to be stopped,” according to the August 2 lawsuit.
In the alleged incident in July 2020, the woman said Watson contacted her about massage work, even though her specialty was ‘teeth whitening and a sauna detox’, according to the lawsuit.
She nonetheless agreed to a massage for Watson, who exhausted her during the session, the civil complaint said.
The woman “feels offended, disgusted and ashamed” and “called her friend immediately after the massage to tell her what happened because she was shocked,” Buzbee wrote.
The plaintiff, who allegedly saw Watson twice, said the first session was arranged by her driver, and during the first meeting, the quarterback “touched her suitcase and vagina and pressed her buttocks in his face,” the lawsuit reads.
She finally saw Watson again on August 17 when the accused booked a massage for himself directly through her, and she first recognized him as ‘the same man who had harassed her earlier this year’ upon his arrival at her spa, the lawsuit said. .
During the second meeting, Watson allegedly “asked her to have oral sex and pretend to be a woman”, according to the plaintiff, who is a lesbian.
Twelve women have now accused Watson of planning massage sessions in which he allegedly exposed himself and asked for sexual services.
All five lawsuits include language that “Watson’s behavior is part of a disturbing pattern.”
The quarterback, who led the NFL in passing yards last season, denied any offense.
Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said in a statement last week that he was “extremely proud” to represent the footballer and “stand completely behind him against what we believe are deserving allegations.”
He said he could not comment further until the allegations were reviewed.
“We will respond next week and ask you to keep an open mind until we do,” Hardin said.
After the first lawsuit was filed, Watson said in a statement Tuesday that he was being mistakenly targeted by a “publicity-seeking” lawyer.
“I have never treated any woman with any other respect,” he said. “The plaintiff’s lawyer claims that it is not about money, but before he filed a case, he presented an unfounded claim of six figures, which I quickly dismissed. not about money for me; it’s about clearing my name, and I’m looking forward to doing it. ‘
An advocacy group for women, who for years have been critical of the NFL’s handling of domestic abuse issues, on Monday called for the league to take action against Watson.
“The NFL’s failure to take the escalating lawsuits against Deshaun Watson more seriously is a furious sign of the league’s stance on violence against women,” Elisa Batista, director of the UltraViolet campaign, said in a statement. .
“Despite the seriousness of these allegations and the pattern that Watson specifically targeted at women massage therapists, the NFL took no action and insisted that the matter is merely ‘under review.'”
The group has long accused NFL commissioner Roger Goodell of lack of allegations of misconduct and is asking for his resignation.
“Gooddell has for many years turned a blind eye to violence and sexual abuse committed by players,” Batista said.
“Watson had to be suspended immediately last week after the initial allegations of abuse came to light. Instead, Goodell stands up and does nothing while Watson’s lawyers launch a brutal smear campaign against the women who boldly come forward. ‘
A representative of the NFL and Goodell could not be immediately reached for comment Monday.
