HOUSTON – Cleveland Browns quarterback Desan Watson must say whether he had sex with 18 massage therapists who supported him last year after criminal charges, a Texas judge ruled Tuesday.
USA Today reports that Watson has 30 days to comply. He will not address his past with therapists before. Watson will also have to provide other information about the history of his massage since 2019, including any language in his agreement with the Texans about the massage.
One of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, Watson was traded from Houston to Cleveland last month.
He was accused of sexual misconduct by 22 women during the therapy session, many of which he arranged by contacting therapists on social media in 2020 and 2021.
At the moment, two grand juries have refused to indict Watson on 10 criminal charges filed with Houston police. He is still facing civil cases and has been testifying in them for weeks.
As part of those civil lawsuits, female attorneys want Watson to respond to a written “admission request” about whether he had sex with 18 therapists who supported him since the first lawsuit was filed against him in March 2021.
Plaintiffs’ attorneys said the answers would show a pattern and motive for establishing the message
At Tuesday’s hearing, Harris County District Court Judge Rabia Sultan ruled in favor of the plaintiff, USA Today reported. Watson’s attorney sought arguments but Collier did not elaborate.
The judge replied, “The objection has been dismissed.” “Thanks.”
Watson, a three-time pro bowler, did not play last season after the Texans told him to do business. When the first grand jury decided not to indict Watson, it sparked a bidding war between the Browns and several NFL teams.
Watson initially rejected the Browns before changing his mind, abandoning his no-trade clause and signing a five-year fully guaranteed বছরের 230 million record with Cleveland.
Browns owners D and Jimmy Haslam said they initially fought the decision to follow Watson, knowing it would not be popular with many fans. However, they said that after meeting Watson and learning more about him, they felt more comfortable signing him.
When Cleveland was introduced late last month, Watson told the media: “I have never in my life abused or disrespected or harassed a woman. I have not done anything that people are complaining about.” This is the first time he has answered direct questions about the allegations.
Watson still faces potential discipline by the NFL.
Last week, Commissioner Roger Goodell said there was no timetable for a league investigation into Watson’s off-field behavior. An independent arbitrator will determine whether Watson violated the league’s privacy policy before imposing a fine.