HOUSTON – Four more lawsuits have been filed against Houston Texans strategist Deshaun Watson, accusing the same improper conduct and assault as the previous three that were filed.
This brings the total to seven lawsuits filed against Watson by Houston attorney Tony Buzbee, who has said on Instagram that there are a total of nine cases against Watson. Buzbee told ESPN via text message on Thursday that his office has been in contact with the police and that he would provide information to the police about all nine women who plan to charge Watson.
Houston police declined to comment to ESPN whether they were investigating the matter. A Harris County district attorney spokesman told ESPN on Thursday that no one from any law enforcement agency has yet provided information to the district attorney’s office about the allegations involving Watson.
Buzbee will address the Houston media Friday afternoon when he says he will provide some background on the seven lawsuits that have been filed and provide copies of multiple texts and messages related to the lawsuits.
After Buzbee’s announcement of the first lawsuit on Tuesday, Watson responded on Twitter by saying that he rejected “an unfounded six-figure settlement claim” and that this is “about clearing my name, and I look forward to it. to do that.” At the time of his statement, Watson said he had not seen the first trial.
“I have never treated a woman with anything other than the utmost respect,” Watson said in his statement.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Thursday that “the matter is under review” of the league’s personal conduct policy, and the Texans said they would keep close contact with the NFL during the league’s investigation.
The seven lawsuits filed so far show a pattern of sexual assault against a massage therapist. While six of the lawsuits allege these were one-off encounters with Watson, one woman claims she was sexually assaulted by Watson multiple times. That lawsuit says the first massage was booked through the spa where the licensed esthetician worked. The six other lawsuits allege that Watson first inquired about the massage via direct Instagram posts.
Three of the four lawsuits filed Thursday evening accuse him of inappropriate contact; the fourth said he was trying to kiss a woman by force.
“Watson’s behavior is part of a troubling pattern of preying on vulnerable women,” the fourth lawsuit reads.
The Texans said again on Thursday that they were aware of the matter.
“The NFL has informed us [Thursday] that they will investigate the allegations in the civil lawsuits brought against Deshaun Watson, “the team said.” We will stay in close contact with the competition as they do. We continue to take this and all matters involving anyone within the Houston Texans organization seriously. We do not expect to make any additional statements until the NFL’s investigation is completed. “