23 Lawsuits
Sexual misconduct allegations against Deshaun Watson
Timeline
MARCH 30, 2020
Allegations from
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has been accused of sexual misconduct by 23 individual women. The cases allege incidents, mostly involving massage therapists, dating between 2020 and early 2021. Watson’s legal team, led by Rusty Hardin, responded to the allegations, stating that they had uncovered evidence that numerous allegations were "simply not true or accurate” after Watson learned the identities of his accusers.
"By now, Plaintiff was scared and started crying. She only wanted Watson to leave. In response to her askimg him to leave and to her crying, Watson stated: 'I know you have a career and a reputation, and I know you would hate for someone to mess with yours, just like I don't want anyone messing with mine.'"
The lawsuits contain explicit language that can be considered graphic. Reader discretion is advised.
Each lawsuit was filed by notable Houston attorney Tony Buzbee. Buzbee has made a name for himself across the city as a politician, lawyer and veteran, among numerous other titles. Buzbee famously ran against incumbent Mayor Sylvester Turner in the 2019 Houston mayoral race and lost.
The plaintiff has run a massage therapy business since 2018 and is a licensed therapist. He contacted her via direct message on Instagram and insisted no one else be present during his massage. The woman alleges that Watson exposed his penis and touched her hand with his penis. She says she ended the massage abruptly and Watson told her: "I know you have a career and a reputation, and I know you would hate for someone to mess with yours, just like I don't want anyone messing with mine." She says he texted later to apologize but she did not respond. The plaintiff later identified herself publicly as Ashley Solis. She spoke about the encounter at a press conference on April 6.
"By now, Plaintiff was scared and started crying. She only wanted Watson to leave. In response to her asking him to leave and to her crying, Watson stated: 'I know you have a career and a reputation, and I know you would hate for someone to mess with yours, just like I don't want anyone messing with mine.'"
APRIL 19, 2020
The plaintiff, a licensed esthetician who owns her skin care business, says she was contacted by Watson via Instagram. During a massage appointment, Watson directed the woman to work on the crevices in his groin area, the lawsuit states. She says when he rolled over onto his back, he had an erection and repeatedly touched her hand with his penis. He ejaculated, leaving the woman "confused and mortified," the lawsuit states.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Lectus magna fringilla urna porttitor rhoncus. Eros donec ac odio tempor orci dapibus. Amet mauris commodo quis imperdiet massa tincidunt nunc pulvinar.
MAY 28, 2020
The plaintiff, a certified personal trainer who did not specialize in massage, says Watson wanted to book with her anyway and told her he wanted to focus on his groin, glutes and lower abdominals. She says the massage took place in a theater room, and that at one point Watson exposed his penis and moved it to her hand. The lawsuit says Watson told her, "I hope you do not mind if we continue the massage like this." The woman says she started stuttering and said "I do not know. I do not know," before ending the massage. The plaintiff says she called her mother and best friend that day to tell them what happened, and that Watson texted her the same day asking if she was OK.
"Plaintiff decided to end the massage and told Watson it was time to go. Watson got off the massage table, still completley naked, and asked Planitiff if he could give her a hug. Plaintiff told Watson that she did not think that would be appropriate. Watson responded, 'Oh c'mon I saw your Instagram. I know what you're working with.'"
JUNE 2, 2020
The plaintiff has been in the massage business about 11 years and is a licensed therapist who routinely works with pro athletes. She says Watson contacted her via Instagram and later by phone, telling her he makes "a lot of massage therapists uncomfortable and it's really hard for me to find someone who will meet my needs." During the appointment, the woman says, Watson continually tried to remove towels and exposed his penis multiple times and moved "in such a way to make his penis touch Plaintiff." The lawsuit says Watson tried to schedule future appointments but was ignored or declined. The plaintiff was identified as Lauren Baxley. A statement she wrote about the incident was read at a press conference on April 6.
"Plaintiff worked very hard to keep the massage professional. Plaintiff felt trapped, angry and dirty. Plaintiff prides herself on her professionalism and reputation. Even so, Watson continuously attempted to get Plaintiff to touch his penis."
JUNE & AUGUST 2020
The plaintiff, who offers bodywork and stretch therapy classes, markets her business through Instagram. She said she initially did not know who Watson was when he contacted her through the manager at a spa where she worked. She met him at a hotel where he was staying, the lawsuit says. She says Watson groped her buttocks and vagina, and she slapped him. She says he later touched her hand with his penis. On Aug. 17, she says, Watson reached out on Instagram, and she didn't realize the connection to her earlier client until he arrived. The lawsuit says Watson apologized for his earlier behavior but during the appointment exposed himself, forced the woman's mouth onto his penis and masturbated in front of her.
"To Plaintiff's shock, Watson groped her buttocks and vagina and then pushed her buttocks into his face. Plaintiff slapped Watson and asked him what he was doing. Watson stated 'I thought you liked that.' Plaintiff informed him that she did not like it and Watson apologized."
JULY 2020
The plaintiff offered Watson a teeth whitening and sauna detox when he originally reached out via Instagram for a massage. Later, by telephone, Watson asked about Swedish massage, and she said she would try to learn it before his appointment, according to the lawsuit. During the appointment, the woman says, Watson lie naked on his stomach and told her to massage the area underneath his genitals and anus before flipping onto his back. The lawsuit states that as the plaintiff massaged his groin, Watson ejaculated on her face and body. She says he then took her hand and had it touch his penis. The woman called a friend later that day to say what had happened because, she says, she was in shock.
"The massage ended. Plaintiff then ran into the bathroom to wipe the semen off her body. Watson got up and left Plaintiff's house. Plaintiff felt violated, disgusted and ashamed. Plaintiff immediately called her friend after the massage to tell her about what happened because she was in shock."
NOTE: The plaintiff dropped this lawsuit on April 14, 2021 due to "privacy and security concerns" after a judge ruled that a number of Watson's accuers would have to be identified.
JULY 7, 2020
The 21st lawsuit by Buzbee, filed on March 30, describes another alleged out-of-town encounter with a massage therapist. Watson allegedly reached out to a yoga instructor friend for massage therapists in the Scottsdale area. The lawsuit states Watson wanted to see the Instagram pages of the potential masseuse. Once he chose a masseuse, he arranged an early evening session that day at the therapist's business. Similar to the other lawsuits, Watson is accused of being unclothed at the session and then trying to coerce the therapist into unwanted sexual acts. In this lawsuit, the document states the woman refused any advances and that the encounter totaled no more than 35 minutes.
"Plaintiff informed Defendant Watson that she could not do that and would not do that. Watson again agressively demanded that Plaintiff stick her fingers into his anus. When Plaintiff responded no again, Defendant Watson realized that Plaintiff was not going to entertain his sexual advances..."
JULY 15, 2020
The plaintiff, a licensed massage therapist, says Watson contacted her on Instagram. He later gave her an address to a house in Beverly Hills where she was to meet him, the lawsuit says. When she arrived, she says, she was led to a room where Watson locked the door. The plaintiff says she took out mace, and Watson laughed but didn't say anything. When the massage started, the lawsuit states, Watson asked her to massage his glutes and pointed to his anus, and the plaintiff refused. When Watson flipped over, he had an erection covered by a towel, which he removed, the plaintiff says. She says Watson grabbed her hands and moved them toward his genitals and forced her hands onto his penis. Afterward, she says, he told her, "I will not have you sign a NDA but don't ever talk about this."
"Watson grabbed Plaintiff's hands and moved his penis and genitals towards her hand and forced Plaintiff's hand onto his penis, to get her to pleasure him. He also kept directing her to his butt hole... Plaintiff was completley numb with fear at this pont as she was leaving... She felt scared to be trapped in a room with a huge, muscular person such as Watson."
JULY & SEPTEMBER 2020
A woman who resides in Kansas accuses Watson of at least four different massage therapy sessions involving him allegedly behaving inappropriately and, in one of the sessions, coercing the woman to perform oral sex. According to this lawsuit, termed the 20th by Buzbee filed on March 30, Watson reached out to the woman through Snapchat. Throughout this time period, the woman alleges Watson's behavior progressively got worse with each session, devolving to the coerced sex act. It is also alleged in this lawsuit that Watson "unsent" Instagram messages and contacted the other women through "intermediaries."
"He kept encouraging her and saying, 'it is okay, it is okay.' Watson attempted to stroke Plaintiff's butt and rub her leg. Watson was aware that Plaintiff was a single mom and was financially struggling. Watson used such information to his advantage in an effort to manipulate her."
AUGUST 2, 2020
The plaintiff offers various wellness services in homes, hotels and offices. Watson allegedly contacted her by Instagram to set up an appointment. The woman says that, during the session, Watson repeatedly asked if he could be naked and demanded she focus on the buttocks. The lawsuit alleges that Watson told the plaintiff he wanted her to touch his anus with her fingers. After the session, according to the lawsuit, Watson was naked in the room when the plaintiff returned from washing her hands and he allegedly asked if she did more than just professional work "for more money." The woman says she immediately declined and told him to leave. Due to the incident, she left the profession, the lawsuit states.
"Watson asked Plaintiff if she 'did more' than just professional body work 'for more money.' Plaintiff immediately declined saying that Watson had the wrong idea... Once Plaintiff declined, Watson said he was disappointed, he became angry and told Plaintiff to leave."
AUGUST 28, 2020
The plaintiff has owned a massage therapy business in Atlanta since 2019. She says Watson contacted her via Instagram and flew her to Houston for his appointment. The woman says Watson tried to get her to touch his genitals and exposed himself. She said she ended the massage and Watson grabbed her hand and arm and said, 'It is OK. It is OK.' She said she pulled away. When Watson went to shower, she says, she left for the airport and did not respond to later requests from Watson.
"Watson grabbed her hand and started to rub her arm, pulling her towards him, saying 'it is OK, it is OK.' Plaintiff pulled away. Watson was still completley nude, exposing himself. Plaintiff again said she needed to leave to catch her flight back to Atlanta."
SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2020
The plaintiff, a licensed esthetician of nine years, offers back treatments and body scrubs. In one session, the lawsuit says, Watson asked the woman "what she would do about his erection." She told him his behavior was inappropriate, the lawsuit says. In an October session, she says, Watson tried to put his penis in the plaintiff's hand so she would touch it and moved his body so his penis would touch her hand. She says he insisted she focus on his groin, complained she was wearing too many clothes and tried to kiss her. The woman says she cut the second session short and Watson left.
"Watson was upset that Plaintiff was fully clothed in scrubs for the session. Watson told Plaintiff she was wearing too many clothes. Watson also tried to kiss Plaintiff on the mouth. Watson was coercing her the entire time. Plaintiff decided to cut the session short, and Watson abruptly left."
SEPTEMBER 2 & NOVEMBER 17 2020
The plaintiff, who is a makeup artist and not a licensed massage therapist, was contacted on Instagram by Watson for a massage. At the first session at Watson’s home, she says Watson instructed the plaintiff to massage around his groin and anus. When the plaintiff accidentally grazed his penis, she says he instructed her to ”grab it,” to which she declined. At the second session in November, after what felt like hours of massaging, Watson asked her to grab his penis, she says. After denying him multiple times, in an attempt to end the session, the plaintiff touched Watson like he asked as he raised his hips, masturbating himself. The plaintiff also alleges Watson tried to kiss her multiple times and grabbed her thighs and butt.
"Plaintiff was mentally beat, the pressure from Watson's relentless instruction coercing her against her will left her powerless. In an effort to finally end the massage session, and with hopes to be free to leave, Plaintiff finally did as Watson had been instructing her to do for what felt like hours."
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
The plaintiff, who owns her own fitness company and offers body conditioning and wellness therapy, says Watson contacted her on Instagram. She said Watson asked if it was OK if he got naked and "if he got aroused." Later, she says, he moved his body to have his penis touch her hand. She said she moved away and Watson then ejaculated. The lawsuit says the woman "felt violated and disgusted" and immediately stopped the session.
OCTOBER 8, 2020
The plaintiff says she had never given a massage at this spa before, and her boss had assigned her to Watson, whom she said might require a non-disclosure agreement to be signed. She did not sign an NDA. When the massage began, the plaintiff says, she started massaging Watson's lower legs, as her boss instructed. Watson later turned over and exposed his penis, the lawsuit states, and the woman continued massaging his inner thigh, lower stomach and sides as he instructed. Because his penis was exposed, the woman says, she had to brush against it during the massage. The suit says Watson told her not to be afraid to touch him, and the plaintiff responded that she was not paid to do that. She says he told her that's what he paid for, and that he left, paying only a third of what he was supposed to pay her.
"Plaintiff was terrified, but Watson told her not to be scared to 'touch him.' Plaintiff told Watson that she was not paid to do that. Watson then responded stating that is what he paid for."
OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2020
The woman owns a bodywork and stretch therapy company and had been open around six months. She said Watson contacted her on Instagram. In the first session, she says, Watson wanted her to work on his inner thighs. She said she doesn't "do that kind of work," but she did after he insisted, according to the lawsuit. During the second session, Watson kissed the plaintiff when he arrived, she says. She was shocked and left the office quickly to compose herself, and when she returned he exposed himself, the lawsuit says. Later, she says, Watson asked her to work on his buttocks and penis area but she declined. The lawsuit says he moved in a way to have his penis touch her hand and offered to pay extra if she worked on his buttocks and penis. She says when she declined, Watson got upset and left.
"Upon arrival, Watson, without any notice, kissed Plaintiff. Plaintiff was shocked by his behavior and pulled back quickly. Plaintiff left the office, and went to her friend's store, which was adjacent to hers. Plaintiff told her friend what had just transpired. Planitiff was terrified and sweating profusely."
OCTOBER 19, 2020
The lawsuit says Watson contacted the woman via Instagram. When the plaintiff, a licensed therapist, massaged Watson's glutes, he allegedly asked her to "go deeper." The woman says she felt uncomfortable and stayed on his legs, and also declined Watson's request to use hands instead of elbows. When Watson turned on his back, he was completely naked with his penis exposed, she says. Watson allegedly told her to "go further" and use her hands on the inside of his legs, and she declined. She says Watson offered extra money and said "Don't worry no one is going to know." The lawsuit also claims "as a result of the repeated lawsuits against him, Watson is deleting Instagram messages, and contacting those who formally provided him massages, in an attempt to settle."
"Watson told Plaintiff that he would pay extra money and said, 'Don't worry no one is going to know.' Plaintiff said no. Watson then grabbed Plaintiff's hand and made her touch his penis. Plaintiff pulled back shocked and told him no. The massage eventually ended, and Watson left."
NOVEMBER 2020
The plaintiff, a single mother, is a flight attendant and massage therapist. She says that Watson requested services when she was a massage therapy student, and often, shared her journey of massage therapy school with her followers on Instagram. The plaintiff says that she had never worked with any athletes from the Texans organization, but had previously known Watson through mutual friends, so she initially felt comfortable around him. According to the lawsuit, Watson initially asked her to come to a hotel at his private suite to do the massage, but she declined. After refusing, Watson allegedly kept messaging her to the point it felt like harassment before reaching out to a mutual friend. The friend reached out to the woman's best friend, who encouraged her to do the massage and said it would be OK. The plaintiff says that Watson was so persistent, he offered to drive to her in Pearland to her mother's house.
"By the end of the massage, Watson was being very aggressive with what he wanted her to do. He kept saying 'get up in there' and 'don't be scared' and 'you can use your fingers' and 'you can get closer.' Plaintiff did not understand what he wanted her to do."
NOVEMBER 9, 2020
The plaintiff says Watson contacted her through Instagram, inquiring about a massage. The woman says she told Watson she is a licensed esthetician, not a licensed massage therapist, and offered to connect Watson with a massage therapist. Watson declined and insisted that he wanted her to perform a massage, she says. The plaintiff alleges Watson "grabbed" her buttocks during the massage while his "penis was erect ... and completely exposed." The lawsuit alleges Watson told the massage therapist she had to sign a non-disclosure agreement before he would pay her for the massage. The lawsuit says, "based on publicly available information, in a short time frame ... Watson used more than fifty different women for massages" and alleges that "Watson selected all of these women via social media, mostly through Instagram and through Snapchat."
"Watson's penis was erect at this point and was completley exposed. Watson moved his penis into Plaintiff's hand in an attempt to get her to touch it. Plaintiff asked increduously what he was thinking and he replied 'you can sit on it.' Plaintiff told him that was not professional and that is not how 'she got down.'"
DECEMBER 28, 2020
The woman, a licensed massage therapist since 2018, says Watson contacted her through Instagram. During the session, she says, Watson instructed her to slide her hands across his genitals. The woman says she started shaking and felt intimidated and threatened. The lawsuit says that he forced the woman to have oral sex and that she blacked out for a few minutes from fear. She says Watson then got dressed and left.
"Watson instructed her to slide her hand across his genitals. Plaintiff started shaking at this point and Watson clearly knew she was afraid. Plaintiff felt intimidated and threatened. She was afraid of what someone like Watson could do if she did not submit to his demands."
JANUARY 21, 2021
The plaintiff, a licensed massage therapist who owns her own business in Houston, says Watson contacted her on Instagram. As the massage started, she says, Watson asked if he could remove draping because he gets hot. The woman says she told Watson that he would have to remain partially covered and that the massage was strictly professional. The lawsuit says he exposed his erect penis and caused it to touch her hand.
"Watson then stared at Plaintiff and said coyly, 'I do not want to make you do anything you do not want to do.' Plaintiff quickly ended the massage and said time was up. Watson left. Plaintiff felt violated and disgusted."
MARCH 5, 2021
The plaintiff is a licensed massage therapist who owns her own business. She says Watson contacted her on Instagram about a $55 discount massage she was offering. During the massage, she says, Watson made her uncomfortable and directed her to his groin area. She refused, and Watson exposed himself and put his penis on her hand, the lawsuit says. She says she was shocked and moved away, and Watson dressed and left.
"As Plaintiff was covering him up, Watson proceeded to put his penis on her hand. Plaintiff was shocked and immediately moved away. Eventually, Watson realized that Plaintiff was not going to entertain his advances, so he got dressed, paid Plaintiff and left."
SOMETIME IN 2020
The lawsuit says the plaintiff was referred to Watson by a mutual friend sometime in 2020. The incidents happened over three sessions. The plaintiff, a licensed massage therapist, marketed her business through Instagram and said she'd never had issues prior to her encounters with Watson. The first massage occurred at Watson's house. The woman says she insisted on draping, but Watson said he didn't want that, getting completely naked and urging that he didn't want her to massage his back. Instead, when he flipped over, his penis was exposed. The plaintiff said that Watson's penis touched her hand several times. Though she felt uncomfortable, she says she shrugged the incident off as nerves, wanted to keep Watson as a client to grow her business and agreed to schedule a second massage with Watson after he asked to give him the benefit of the doubt.
"By the end of the third session, Plaintiff finally concluded that Watson wanted sex. After the session, Plaintiff told Watson she was firing him as a client. Plaintiff told Watson that she was not going to do anything to jeopardize her marriage."
