After three years of pending lawsuits against dozens of women, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson may be forced to testify once again in one of the last remaining sexual misconduct cases against him. An attorney for a woman who filed a suit against Watson in October 2022 asked a Harris County, Texas court to compel Watson to testify in an in-person deposition before August 1, according to documents obtained by USA Today.
The request for Watson’s testimony comes after he last appeared for deposition in this case back in June. However, the deposition was cut short because Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, instructed him not to answer questions related to other pending cases. This included questions about whether he had been sexually aroused during other massage sessions.
Watson has faced allegations from 26 women accusing him of sexual misconduct during massage sessions. While he and his attorney have admitted to having consensual sexual encounters during massages, they have denied any wrongdoing. The quarterback has reached undisclosed settlements with 23 of the 26 women, and one dropped her case shortly after filing it. Two cases still remain unresolved.
In this particular case, Hardin has aggressively denied the allegation that Watson pressured the woman into oral sex in December 2020. He has accused the woman of unrequited love and criticized one of her attorneys, Anissah Nguyen, for questioning Watson. Hardin stated that they will not be trying other incidents in other cases and will not be answering questions about those cases, as they are subject to confidentiality agreements.
The transcript obtained by USA Today reveals Hardin’s firm stance on not discussing other incidents. He emphasized that the lawsuit against Watson is baseless and that they will only answer questions about the encounter between the plaintiff and Watson.
The ongoing legal battle surrounding Deshaun Watson has garnered significant attention and has had a major impact on his professional career. The NFL has been monitoring the situation closely, and Watson’s future in the league remains uncertain. As the remaining sexual misconduct cases against him continue to unfold, the outcome of each case will undoubtedly shape the narrative surrounding Watson’s reputation and career.
It is important to note that the allegations against Watson are serious and must be treated with sensitivity and respect. The legal process will ultimately determine the truth and provide justice for all parties involved.
