Cleveland — Deshaun Watson has been accused of sexual assault in a new civil lawsuit filed by a woman who claims the Cleveland Browns quarterback forced himself on her four years ago while playing for Houston.
According to the lawsuit filed Monday in Harris County, Texas, the woman is suing Watson for $1 million in damages.
The woman, identified only as Jane Doe in court documents, said the incident took place after she invited Watson to her apartment. She said Watson undressed shortly after arriving and demanded a massage.
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It’s the latest legal entanglement for Watson, who settled 23 of 24 lawsuits against him in 2022 after two dozen women accused him of sexual harassment and harassment during massage treatments.
The 28-year-old Watson served a 11-game NFL suspension 2022 for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, which stemmed from those allegations. He also had to pay a $5 million fine and undergo independent counseling before being reinstated.
The new lawsuit was filed by attorney Tony Buzbee, who represented the other women who alleged Watson’s misconduct.
The Browns did not have an immediate response to the latest lawsuit. The NFL declined to comment.
Watson could also face additional discipline from the league.
The three-time Pro Bowler has been plagued by problems since Cleveland traded five draft picks, including three first-round picks, to the Texans in 2022 for him. The Browns then signed Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract.
Watson has been limited to just 13 starts due to the suspension and a shoulder injury that required surgery last season.
He played for the first time in 10 months on Sunday and completed 24 of 45 passes for 169 yards with two interceptions and a touchdown in a 33-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.