22nd lawsuit against Deshaun Watson alleges woman had to sign non-disclosure agreement

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Monday, April 5, 2021
22nd Deshaun Watson lawsuit alleges woman had to sign 'NDA'
The latest suit emerges ahead of a press conference expected to reveal "significant developments" in the allegations against him.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Another lawsuit has been filed against Deshaun Watson, this one alleging the Houston Texans quarterback assaulted a licensed esthetician "by touching her with his penis and exposing himself."

The lawsuit, filed Friday night and made available on the Harris County District Clerk's website on Monday, says "Watson's behavior is part of a disturbing and escalating pattern," was the 22nd filed by Houston attorney Tony Buzbee since March 16.

The plaintiff alleges Watson "grabbed" her buttocks during the massage while his "penis was erect ... and completely exposed." The lawsuit alleges Watson told the massage therapist she had to sign a non-disclosure agreement before he would pay her for the massage.

The lawsuit says, "based on publicly available information, in a short time frame ... Watson used more than fifty different women for massages" and alleges that "Watson selected all of these women via social media, mostly through Instagram and through Snapchat."

The suit emerges ahead of a Buzbee press conference Tuesday to address "important and significant developments."

The press conference will be held at noon at the Chase Tower downtown.

The Houston Police Department said a report had been filed against Watson, according to a tweet posted on Friday. HPD is now conducting an investigation into the case.

HPD also added that it "will not comment further during the investigative process."

READ MORE: Report concerning Deshaun Watson filed with HPD

Buzbee first announced on Sunday, March 21, that he would be "submitting affidavits and evidence from several women" the next day.

Buzbee also said he will request that a grand jury consider the evidence and determine whether charges should be brought against Watson by the state of Texas. A spokesperson for the district attorney's office said last week that it would be "inappropriate" for the DA's office to comment on the lawsuits against Watson.

Rusty Hardin, who is representing Watson, responded to HPD's announcement on Friday with the following statement:

"We welcome this long overdue development. Now we will learn the identity of at least one accuser. We will fully cooperate with the Houston Police Department."

Watson is accused of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions.

RELATED: Timeline of every lawsuit filed against Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson

Eighteen professional massage therapists have come out in support of the Texans quarterback, saying the allegations were not consistent with the experiences they've had with the star athlete.

Watson has publicly denied any wrongdoing, and Hardin said last week that he believes "any allegation that Deshaun forced a woman to commit a sexual act is completely false."

The NFL said in a statement Friday that it is "continuing to monitor all developments" pertaining to the league's personal conduct policy, and the Texans said in a statement that they would stay in close contact with the NFL during its investigation.

ESPN contributed to this report.