The lawyer for the masseuses and physiotherapists accusing the Browns quarterback of sexual assault, Tony Buzbee announced that confidential agreements had been reached with 20 of the 24 complainants.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has reached confidential settlements with 20 of the 24 masseuses and physical therapists who have filed civil lawsuits for sexual misconduct, according to the attorney representing the women.
Recall of facts
The first 22 lawsuits were filed between March and April 2021. Two others were filed following the broadcast of the documentary Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel on HBO in which two women detailed their encounter with Watson.
Le New York Times clarified in early June that Deshaun Watson had booked a massage with 66 different physios in the space of 17 months when he was playing in Houston.
The American media had even obtained a report stating that a member of the management of the Houston Texans had forced certain women to sign a non-disclosure agreement to protect the player.
In March, two Texas state judges did not convict Deshaun Watson of the criminal complaints relating to the allegations.
Twists and turns in the case
“Today I am announcing that all but four complaints against Deshaun Watson have been settled out of court. We are completing the paperwork regarding these agreements”, announces Tony Buzbee’s press release “Once that is done, these cases will be closed. The terms and amounts of these agreements will remain confidential. We will not comment further on the conclusion of these cases”
This agreement allows the 26-year-old to avoid several days of deposition imposed on him this week. As a reminder, his Browns team offered him a guaranteed five-year contract for $230 million last March – the biggest contract in NFL history.
Ashley Solie continue son combat
The first complainant Ashley Solie refused all the player’s amicable proposals and intends to go to the end of the legal procedure. Just like the other three remaining women who accuse the Browns quarterback of sexual assault.
«Ashley Solie is one of the heroines of this story. His case was not settled out of court. Her story and that of the other three brave women will continue.»
The NFL has still not communicated on this case, and specifies that it is continuing an internal investigation before sanctioning the player who missed the entirety of last season.
