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Numerous women have reportedly filed lawsuits against football player Deshaun Watson in recent days, claiming the Houston Texan quarterback sexually assaulted them. The similarities between the lawsuits and allegations of a pattern of abuse echo claims made in class action lawsuits lodged over claims of sexual assault by celebrities, such as Harvey Weinstein or James Franco and his film school.
The most recent lawsuit filed against Watson alleges he is a “serial predator” and his “behavior is part of a disturbing pattern.” There are more than two dozen claims lodged against Watson over allegations of sexual abuse, reports NBCSports. While a class action has not been filed, the football player faces mounting litigation and potential criminal charges stemming from these sexual assault allegations.
Lawsuits Against Deshaun Watson Allege Sexual Abuse Since March 2020
The lawsuits reportedly detail incidents occurring over the past year. The plaintiffs — massage therapists and personal trainers — claim that the football player set up appointments for their services, usually in his home or hotel rooms, according to a summary compiled by ESPN.
The women allege that Watson would ask them to focus on his groin or genital regions during massages, claiming he would then remove his towel or covering. In some instances, the women say that he would force or otherwise cause his genitals to touch them.
Potential Criminal Charges?
A lawyer representing the women said that he would be submitting information to the Houston Police Department next week.
“Our team will be submitting affidavits and evidence from several women, who had experiences with Deshaun Watson, to the Houston Police Department (HPD) and the Houston District Attorney, on Monday morning,” said the attorney’s statement, according to CNN. “We will request that a grand jury be empaneled to consider the evidence we provide.”
Legal experts told reporters that some of the allegations made in the civil lawsuits could, in fact, result in criminal charges for Watson. The most recent lawsuit filed describes a potentially criminal act, along with physical evidence.
“This is clearly the one with the most credibility to it and clearly the one that could present criminal problems for Watson,” New Orleans lawyer Craig Mordock, who specializes in civil and criminal sexual assault cases, told Yahoo!Sports.
The Houston Police Department posted a statement on Twitter indicating that it had not received incident reports or other material regarding the sexual assault allegations against the football player.
Deshaun Watson Responds
For his part, Deshaun Watson has denied the allegations, claiming that they are false, according to CNN.
“I have never treated any woman with anything other than the utmost respect,” said Watson in a recent Twitter post.
What do you think of the allegations of sexual assault against Watson? Tell us in the comment section below.
The plaintiffs are represented by Anthony G. Buzbee, Crystal Del Toro, Cornelia Brandfield-Harvey, and Brittany C. Ifejika of The Buzbee Law Firm.
The most recent Deshaun Watson Sexual Assault Lawsuit is Doe v. Watson, Case No. 2021-16093, in the District Court of Harris County, Texas.
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