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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been hit by a lawsuit claiming an incident of sexual misconduct that allegedly took place in December 2020.
Watson has faced 24 lawsuits, brought by attorney Tony Buzbee, relating to sexual misconduct and predatory behavior, of which 23 have been settled. However, this is a new one, from another lawyer, which was filed in Harris County District Court in Houston on Thursday.
A massage therapist has claimed that Watson, 27, pressured her into a sex act during a session in December 2020, and paid almost triple for her services.
Texan attorney Anissah Nguyen has hit out at society's attitudes towards victims when a high-profile athlete has been accused, and she has praised her client for having the courage to speak out about what Watson allegedly did to her.
Nguyen told Newsweek: "No doubt, there is a systematic bias that imbues empathy for the Deshaun Watsons and casts suspicion on the victims.
"This social attitude is pervasive and entrenched in our society, trivializing sexual abuse and perpetuating a rape culture that has instilled fear in so many women like my client; fear of being ostracized, fear of retribution, and fear of not being believed."
Nguyen went on to say that her client is determined not to let her past define her: "My client is empowered by the experience she shares with the other women who have stood up to Mr. Watson's predatory abuse.
"These women are victims, but they are also survivors, and my client refuses to be hijacked by her past," Nguyen added.
The lawsuit states that the pro footballer had reached out to the massage therapist as a small business owner: "Watson continually pressured (the) plaintiff into massaging his private area. He removed his towel and offered to let her get on top.
"(The) plaintiff refused to have sex with Watson. However, he was able to pressure her into oral sex."
The lawsuit added that Watson paid the plaintiff $300 for her services for a massage that was priced at $115 for the hour.
Speaking to Fox 8 WJW in Cleveland on Thursday, Nguyen said: "It's taken her some time to come forward.
"She's doing it for herself and other women who have been victimized by Deshaun Watson. She knows that by speaking out she is going to have to deal with the hard conversations."
The lawsuit adds that the plaintiff has suffered from "severe depression and anxiety" following the alleged incident.
Watson is serving an 11-game suspension for off-field violations relating to "predatory" behavior, which has involved more than two-dozen women making allegations of inappropriate behavior and sexual assault. He was also served with a $5 million fine.
The quarterback was originally given a six-game suspension by an independent arbitrator, but the NFL appealed the perceived light sentence.
The NFL and players' union reached a compromise and, as part of the deal, Watson will "promptly undergo a professional evaluation by behavioral experts and will follow their treatment program."
Watson has said that he was already undergoing counseling. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has complained that there is little interest in hearing his side of the story.
Watson said on August 18 after the settlement agreement: "I'll continue to stand on my innocence, just because, you know, settlements and things like that happen doesn't mean that a person is guilty for anything.
"I feel like a person has an opportunity to stand on his innocence and prove that, and we proved that from a legal side, and just going to continue to push forward as an individual and as a person."
