NFL star Deshaun Watson faces 13 sexual harassment lawsuits
Houston, Texas - NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson of the Houston Texans was sued Monday on six additional counts of sexual harassment and assault.
That brings the total number of women filing related lawsuits against the 25-year-old football player to 13. The incidents allegedly occurred during massage sessions.
Watson denied any wrongdoing when the first lawsuit was announced on March 16 and has not commented further since.
In the cases, he allegedly exposed himself, touched the women with his penis, and verbally solicited the women for sexual acts. In at least one instance, he tried to "force [the woman] to perform oral sex on him," FOX26 reported.
"I have never treated any woman with anything other than the utmost respect," Watson responded in a statement on Twitter on March 17.
He had not seen the complaint at the time, he wrote, implying the lawsuit was "about money" and saying he rejected the "baseless six-figure settlement demand."
Houston attorney and 2019 mayoral hopeful Tony Buzbee is representing the women.
The NFL said the complaints are "now under review of the personal conduct policy," and the Houston Texans confirmed they would stay in "close contact" throughout the duration of the investigation.
Cover photo: IMAGO / Icon SMI