Cleveland Browns’ Deshaun Watson faces a fresh sexual misconduct lawsuit

A new lawsuit has been filed — with new attorneys — against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who claims to have committed a sexual misconduct incident that allegedly took place in December 2020.

The lawsuit was filed Thursday in the Harris County District Court (Texas).

The plaintiff’s attorney is not Tony Buzbee, who has filed 24 lawsuits against Watson, 23 of which have been settled.

The new accuser, a massage therapist, alleges that Watson pressured her into sexual acts during a massage session in December 2020.

“It took a while for her to come forward,” attorney Anissah Nguyen told Fox 8 WJW in Cleveland.

“She does it for herself and other women who are victims of Deshaun Watson. She knows that by speaking out, she will be dealing with the difficult conversations.’

Watson is currently serving an 11-game suspension for violations of off-field behavior related to “predatory” behavior involving more than two dozen women who alleged assault and other inappropriate behavior. He was also fined $5 million.

The 26-year-old was originally banned for six games by an independent arbitrator before the NFL appealed the alleged light penalty. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had the right to rule on the appeal, but instead tapped former New Jersey Attorney General Peter C. Harvey to handle the duties.

Watson is currently serving an 11-game ban for off-field conduct violations

But in the end, the NFL and the players’ union reached a compromise before Harvey made his decision.

As part of the deal, Watson must “immediately undergo a professional evaluation by behaviorists and follow their treatment program.” He previously told reporters that he was already in therapy.

Two separate Texas grand juries declined to indict Watson, who denied the allegations. And while he apologized “for the pain this situation has caused,” he reiterated his belief in his own innocence in a conversation with reporters Thursday.

The three-time Pro Bowl QB was reportedly sexually inappropriate with the women during massage therapy appointments while he played for Houston between 2019 and 2021. Watson settled 23 of the 24 civil lawsuits filed by the women, accusing him of everything from indecent exposure to claims of forced oral sex.

Watson said in a statement that he was “sorry for the pain this situation has caused,” but when he spoke to reporters at Browns training camp in August, he once again reiterated his innocence.

“I’m moving on with my career and my life, and I’m sticking to my innocence,” Watson said. “Just because there are settlements doesn’t mean someone is guilty.”

He also declined to say whether the settlement was fair or not: “I’ll keep my opinion to myself.”

Watson’s sentence began at 4 p.m. on August 30, and he was not eligible to return to the Browns facility until October 10. However, he cannot start practicing again until November 14.

The fine, combined with $1 million contributions from the NFL and the Browns, will create a $7 million charitable fund that will be used to informing young people about sexual violence.

The Browns acquired Watson via trade from the Houston Texans and signed him to a $230 million five-year offseason contract.

When the suspension ends, Watson would ostensibly qualify for his regular-season debut with the Browns on Week 13 in Houston in December.

It is unclear how the new charge will affect Watson’s return to the field.