In the wake of the NFL initiating an investigation into claims of sexual assault against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, four additional women have come forward with lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct and harassment.
The ongoing investigation centers around accusations from three massage therapists who allege that Watson assaulted them during massage sessions. These fresh lawsuits, filed on Thursday evening, bring the total number of legal actions against Watson to seven.
The latest allegations echo the earlier claims, with the four women all working in spa settings and asserting that Watson exposed himself inappropriately, made unwanted physical contact with his genitals, and/or forcibly kissed them without consent. Although the seven plaintiffs have filed separate lawsuits, they are all being represented by the same attorney based in Houston, Tony Buzbee. Thus far, the identities of the women have not been disclosed in the legal filings.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the 25-year-old quarterback categorically denied any misconduct and expressed his determination to clear his name. Since then, neither his lawyer nor his agent has made any public remarks on the matter. The Houston police department has also refrained from commenting on whether any reports of sexual assault involving Watson were lodged with them, citing their practice of not documenting individuals who have not been charged with a crime.
