HOUSTON — Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson should say whether or not he had intercourse with 18 therapeutic massage therapists who supported him final 12 months following prison complaints from 22 different girls, a decide in Texas dominated Tuesday.
USA Right now reported that Watson has 30 days to conform. He beforehand wouldn’t handle his previous with the therapists. Watson additionally has to supply different details about his therapeutic massage historical past since 2019, together with any language in his contract with the Texans about massages.
One of many NFL’s prime quarterbacks, Watson was traded final month from Houston to Cleveland.
He has been accused by 22 girls of sexual misconduct throughout remedy periods, a lot of which he organized by contacting the therapists on social media in 2020 and 2021.
Thus far, two grand juries have declined to indict Watson on 10 prison complaints filed to Houston police. He nonetheless faces the civil fits and has been giving depositions on these for a number of weeks.
As a part of these civil lawsuits, the ladies’s attorneys need Watson to reply written “requests for admission” about whether or not he had intercourse with the 18 therapists who backed him after the primary lawsuits in opposition to him had been filed in March 2021.
The plaintiffs’ attorneys say the solutions would display a sample and motives for establishing the massages.
At Tuesday’s listening to, Harris County District Court docket Decide Rabeea Sultan Collier dominated within the plaintiff’s favor, USA Right now stated. Watson’s lawyer requested for the reasoning however Collier did not clarify.
“The objection is overruled,” the decide stated in response. “Thank you.”
Watson, a three-time Professional Bowler, didn’t play final season after asking the Texans to commerce him. When the primary grand jury selected to not indict Watson, it triggered a bidding struggle by the Browns and a number of other NFL groups.
Watson initially turned down the Browns earlier than altering his thoughts, waiving his no-trade clause and signing a document five-year, $230 million totally assured contract with Cleveland.
Browns homeowners Dee and Jimmy Haslam stated they initially struggled with the choice to pursue Watson, figuring out it will not be in style with many followers. Nonetheless, they stated they turned extra snug with signing him after assembly with Watson and studying extra about him.
When launched by Cleveland late final month, Watson advised the media: “I’ve never assaulted or disrespected or harassed any woman in my life. I’ve never done these things people are alleging.” It was the primary time he had answered direct questions concerning the allegations.
Watson nonetheless faces possible self-discipline by the NFL.
Final week, Commissioner Roger Goodell stated there was no timetable on the league’s investigation into Watson’s off-field conduct. An impartial arbitrator will decide whether or not Watson violated the league’s personal-conduct coverage earlier than Goodell points any penalty.
