Deshaun Watson’s legal professional mentioned on Wednesday the quarterback “strongly denies” the allegations made by a lady who mentioned the Cleveland Browns quarterback sexually assaulted her 4 years in the past when he performed for Houston.
On Monday, the lady in Texas filed a civil lawsuit that claims Watson compelled himself on her at her house 4 years in the past. She is looking for in extra of $1m in damages.
The NFL is trying into the lawsuit to see if Watson, who was suspended for 11 video games in 2022, has violated the league’s private conduct coverage. Watson was beforehand accused of sexual misconduct by two dozen girls for his habits throughout therapeutic massage remedy periods whereas he performed for the Houston Texans. There are additionally questions on whether or not the allegations might endanger Watson’s contract with the Browns.
Felony fees had been by no means introduced in opposition to Watson, however in the summertime of 2022, he reached settlements in 23 of the 24 civil lawsuits that he was going through.
“Deshaun strongly denies the allegations within the Jane Doe lawsuit filed Monday,” legal professional Rusty Hardin mentioned in a press release distributed by the group. “We’ve requested him to not remark additional whereas this matter works its approach by way of the courts, however are comfy he’ll in the end be vindicated.
“We will likely be able to defend this case in court docket on the acceptable time, however don’t intend to conduct our protection within the media. We’d ask that individuals be affected person whereas the authorized course of runs its course. Within the meantime, Deshaun goes to focus his power and focus on soccer.”
Earlier than observe on Wednesday, Watson mentioned he had been unaware of the allegations till this week. “I came upon precisely each time everybody else came upon,” Watson mentioned.
In the meantime, the plaintiff’s legal professional, Tony Buzbee, fired again at Hardin’s assertion, saying he contacted Hardin 10 months in the past looking for a decision and that Watson was conscious of the lady’s claims.
“We knew this case was probably the most severe and egregious case introduced in opposition to Watson to this point and our consumer, who’s rightly traumatized by these occasions, wished to try a non-public decision,” Buzbee mentioned in a press release on Instagram. “We thought that was the very best strategy given the media storm that occurred surrounding the legion of different claims.
“Sadly, Watson’s group or perhaps his legal professionals couldn’t or wouldn’t give this case the eye it was due. … Watson was properly conscious of this sufferer and her claims instantly after it occurred and Watson was once more reminded again after we filed the primary lawsuit for the opposite a number of victims.”
In line with this week’s lawsuit, Watson met the lady at a neighborhood restaurant and recommended that the 2 exit on a date at a shopping center. The girl didn’t need to be in public with Watson, main her to suggest dinner at her house.
Earlier than Watson arrived at her residence, the lady alleges that he referred to as her and yelled at her as a result of he struggled to search out the place she lived. The girl alleges when Watson arrived she went to the toilet. She claims when she returned to her bed room, Watson was “utterly bare on her mattress, mendacity face down on his abdomen.”
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The lawsuit says Watson then demanded a therapeutic massage, motioning towards his knees and groin. The girl mentioned she was not a masseuse, however Watson proceeded to ask her if there was something she would fairly do as a substitute. The swimsuit states that the lady didn’t have time to reply earlier than Watson “partially disrobed Jane Doe and penetrated her vagina with out consent, implicit or express.” After being sexually assaulted for “a number of minutes,” the lady was capable of break away from Watson, and he or she grabbed a heavy object to guard herself.
Watson was “enraged” as he “stormed out of” the lady’s house to finish the alleged interplay, the swimsuit states.
The swimsuit additionally says the lady “has suffered extreme psychological anguish because of this incident,” and “experiences nervous breakdowns and problem sleeping.”
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski mentioned Watson will play on Sunday in Jacksonville. Stefanski mentioned he didn’t take into account benching the QB in gentle of the allegations.
The 28-year-old performed poorly in Cleveland’s season opener, his first recreation since present process shoulder surgical procedure in November, and was booed by Browns followers. Watson has solely made 13 begins for the Browns since they signed him to a $230m contract in 2022 after buying and selling three first-round draft picks to the Texans.
