The final two civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson have been dismissed, according to court records. This development marks the conclusion of nearly 30 legal actions that had been filed against the NFL star since 2021.
Legal Troubles Resolved
These dismissals clear Watson of the remaining legal problems he faced after 27 women initially came forward with accusations in Texas. The allegations, which spanned from 2017 to 2020 when Watson played for the Houston Texans, included claims of exposing himself, non-consensual touching with his genitals, forced kissing, and in some cases, allegations of forced oral sex and sexual assault during massage appointments.
Details of the Dismissals
One of the lawsuits dismissed on Friday has been settled, according to attorney Tony Buzbee who represented the plaintiff. Buzbee declined to provide further details, citing the confidentiality of the settlement agreement. His client had alleged that Watson touched her with his penis multiple times during a massage session.
The status of the other dismissed lawsuit remains unclear. Attorney Anissah Nguyen, who represented the woman in that case, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Her client had accused Watson of pressuring her to perform oral sex during a massage appointment.
Watson's Defense and Previous Outcomes
Watson has consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout the legal proceedings. His attorney, Rusty Hardin, previously characterized the allegations as "meritless." Notably, two separate Texas grand juries declined to indict Watson on criminal charges related to these accusations.
The woman represented by Nguyen had also sued the Houston Texans, alleging the team provided assistance and resources that enabled Watson's alleged misconduct. That lawsuit against the Texans was dismissed last week as well.
Broader Context and Consequences
Most of the lawsuits against Watson were settled in 2022. In July of that same year, 30 women who accused the Texans of ignoring allegations against their former quarterback settled their legal claims against the team.
The NFL took disciplinary action against Watson, suspending him for the first 11 games of the 2022 season for violating the league's personal conduct policy. He was also fined $5 million and required to undergo a mandatory evaluation before being reinstated.
Since being traded to the Browns in March 2022, Watson has played in only 19 games due to both the NFL suspension and subsequent injuries. The dismissals of these final two lawsuits represent the end of a lengthy legal chapter for the quarterback, though the allegations have significantly impacted his professional career and public reputation.
