{"id":36299,"date":"2022-06-04T10:41:07","date_gmt":"2022-06-04T10:41:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/24th-lawsuit-against-deshaun-watson-to-be-filed-monday-attorney-tony-buzbee-says\/"},"modified":"2022-06-04T10:41:07","modified_gmt":"2022-06-04T10:41:07","slug":"24th-lawsuit-against-deshaun-watson-to-be-filed-monday-attorney-tony-buzbee-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/24th-lawsuit-against-deshaun-watson-to-be-filed-monday-attorney-tony-buzbee-says\/","title":{"rendered":"24th lawsuit against Deshaun Watson to be filed Monday, attorney Tony Buzbee says"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

CLEVELAND, Ohio – A 24th civil suit will be filed against Deshaun Watson on Monday by a massage therapist alleging sexual misconduct during past appointments, attorney Tony Buzbee told cleveland.com.<\/p>\n

The 23rd suit was filed Tuesday by Buzbee’s client Nia Smith, and all 24 of the plaintiffs are represented by Buzbee.<\/p>\n

News of the forthcoming 24th suit comes on the same day that Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, issued a statement to clarify some of the comments he made during an interview on Houston radio about “happy endings ” <\/a>after massage appointments. The reference is to some kind of sexual activity after the massage.<\/p>\n

“I don’t know how many men are out there now that have had a massage that perhaps occasionally there was a happy ending … If that has happened, it’s not a crime, OK, unless you are paying somebody extra or so to give you some kind of sexual activity, \u201dHardin said. “Doing something or saying something or being a way that makes you uncomfortable is not a crime. And so we’ve had two grand juries find that, and nobody seems to want to listen. “<\/p>\n

After his remarks went viral on social media, Hardin issued a statement Friday evening to explain them.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeshaun Watson did nothing wrong, ” Hardin wrote. “And as two grand juries have made clear, Deshaun did nothing illegal. Deshaun has always acknowledged consensual sexual activity with three of the plaintiff massage therapists after massages. And Deshaun has repeatedly sworn under oath that he did not force any of his accusers to have sexual contact.<\/p>\n

“On a Houston radio show interview today, I mentioned that a massage that has a ‘happy ending’ is not illegal, meaning it is not illegal for someone to have consensual sex with a therapist after a massage unless the sex is for pay. Deshaun did not pay anyone for sex. I was using the term hypothetically and not describing Deshaun’s case.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have reiterated to others it’s not ok to do anything that a woman does not agree to do. These women have alleged assault in their pleadings. I was speaking in a hypothetical situation. If there is a consensual sexual encounter after a massage, that is not a crime nor the basis for a civil lawsuit. I was not talking about what Deshaun did or did not do or expected or did not expect. ”<\/p>\n

In response to Hardin’s radio interview, Buzbee told ESPN’s John Barr that Hardin “may have single-handedly lost his client’s case because I’m absolutely going to use that comment because I think it speaks volumes to how he, his team and his client think about the massage industry. “<\/p>\n

The two new suits are the first since the first 22 were filed in March and April of 2021.<\/p>\n

The latest one will be filed as the Browns head into Week 3 of organized team activities next week and prepare for their mandatory minicamp June 14-16. Coach Kevin Stefanski and select players will be available at the Cleveland Browns Foundation 22nd Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, and OTAs will be open to the media on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Watson has participated fully in OTAs and treated his offensive teammates to a trip to the Bahamas two weekends ago for team bonding and on-field work. He’s received overwhelming support from his teammates, including defensive leader Myles Garrett.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt isn’t any of my business, ” Garrett said at OTAs Wednesday. “…. I don’t know what happened. You don’t know what happened. No one in this room really knows what happened, other than the people that were involved. I can’t move one way or the other, based on hearsay. So, I just have to move with the character of the man that I know from day to day, and it’s a good guy from what I’ve seen, from what I’ve played against and from what I’ve see in the building .<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s not every day that you grab your whole offense and take them to the Bahamas and you treat them and you’re respectful to the coaches. From what I’ve seen. he’s walked the right way and whether he’s had a slip-up or not, I’m not the judge. I’m not the jury or the executioner. I’m here to play a game and whether we agree or disagree with who he is off the field, that’s yet to be seen. But as far as the guy I know on the field, he’s special. ”<\/p>\n

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said at a league meeting May 24th that the league was \u201cnearing the end of the investigative period\u201d of Watson’s case under its personal conduct policy and would turn it over to disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson soon. He said he had no timetable for when Robinson would render a decision on a possible suspension, fine or both.<\/p>\n

Goodell also stated that the league could issue further discipline if more information became available.<\/p>\n

Hardin told cleveland.com that the NFL would likely reach a decision in June or July, but sometime before the start of the season. The Browns are likely to hear something before training camp opens at the end of July, but at this point, they have no idea how long Watson’s possible suspension might be.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, Watson is getting most of the reps in practice with the first- and second-team offenses. If he’s suspended, he’ll be permitted to practice with the team until the start of the regular season, and then be banned from all team activities until he’s reinstated.<\/p>\n

The Browns are banking as many reps with him as they can now in the event he’s out for an extended period of time. In that case, backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett will start in his place of him. The Browns also still have Baker Mayfield on the roster, but will trade him as soon as they can.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

–<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Get the latest Browns merchandise: <\/b><\/i>Here’s where you can order<\/i> Cleveland Browns gear online, including jerseys, T-shirts, hoodies, hats and much more.<\/i><\/p>\n

If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit <\/i>1800gambler.net<\/i> for more information.<\/i><\/p>\n

More Browns coverage<\/b><\/u><\/p>\n

Alex Mack, a three-time Pro-Bowl center with Browns, announces retirement<\/b><\/p>\n

Baker Mayfield can still be a ‘top-10 quarterback’ says former NFL QB<\/p>\n

Should Browns fans be worried about the cap in the future? Podcast<\/p>\n

Talking to myself about David Njoku’s contract and the Browns – Terry Pluto<\/p>\n

What we learned about the Browns linebackers, cornerbacks from defensive coordinator Joe Woods on Wednesday<\/p>\n

Did the Browns overpay David Njoku? What to expect from Guardians rookie Oscar Gonzalez – Terry’s Talkin ‘(podcast)<\/p>\n

Cade York is ‘the right guy for our stadium, for our city,’ according to special teams coordinator Mike Priefer<\/p>\n

Why the Browns aren’t crazy for paying TE David Njoku more than $ 13.6 million a year: Mary Kay Cabot<\/p>\n

How good can the Browns’ defense be this season? Quincy Carrier, Lance Reisland on Thursday’s Sports 4 CLE<\/p>\n

How David Njoku’s performance stacks up against other top-paid NFL tight ends<\/p>\n<\/div>\n