Major Progress has been made in the case of Cleveland Browns quarterback, Deshaun Watson, who reached settlements on 20 out of the 24 sexual misconduct civil lawsuits against him.
“Today I announce that all cases against Deshaun Watson with the exception of four, have settled,” said attorney Tony Buzbee. “We are working through the paperwork related to those settlements. Once we have done so, those particular cases will be dismissed. The terms and amounts of settlements are confidential. We won’t comment further on the settlements or those cases.”
In March of 2021, a civil lawsuit was filed by a Houston massage therapist claiming that Watson, then 25, inappropriately touched her with his genitals, while asking for sex during his treatment at her home in March 2020. The following day another massage therapist came forward claiming that in August 2020, while attempting to give Watson professional treatment, the football star completely disrobed and requested an anus and penis massage. The therapist says that she was only paid half the charges for her services. By March of 2021, there would be a total of 25 lawsuits filed against the quarterback, according to ESPN.
Contrary to accumulating over two dozen sexual accusations, 18 massage therapists came to the defense of the star contradicting those previous assault and harassment claims.
“I have never treated any woman with anything other than the utmost respect,” Watson said, according to the suit.
Ashley Solis, who has been identified as his first victim to speak out, said that she now suffers from depression, anxiety and panic attacks as a result of the assault which she alleged.
Solis, who was aiming to expand her clientele, found it peculiar that Watson would have interest in her services as she wasn’t the “typical sports massage,” Solis’ lawsuit said.
Solis “found it somewhat peculiar that a NFL player would request a massage from her, because she is not yet a well-known masseuse and it was her belief that a player like Watson likely had access to an entire team of trainers and the like,” the suit said.
In a news conference last week, Watson stated that he had no regrets about his actions, but instead regrets the impact that the allegations has had on his family.
“I do understand that I do have regrets as far as the impact that [it’s had] on the community and people outside of just myself,” Watson said. “And that includes my family. That includes this organization. That includes my teammates in this locker room that have to answer these questions. That includes the fan base of the Cleveland Browns. That includes males, females, everyone across the world. That’s one thing I do regret is the impact that it’s triggered on so many people. It’s tough to have to deal with.”
This week Tony Buzbee announced that all but four suits against Watson had reached a settlement.
“Today I announce that all cases against Deshaun Watson with the exception of four, have settled,” said Buzbee in a statement.
“We are working through the paperwork related to those settlements. Once we have done so, those particular cases will be dismissed. The terms and amounts of settlements are confidential. We won’t comment further on the settlements or those cases.”
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