Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson once faced 24 civil lawsuits that alleged sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions. All but one of his accusers have agreed to financial settlements.
Lauren Baxley is the last woman who refuses to settle with him.
The lone holdout among Deshaun Watson’s 24 sexual misconduct accusers says he will ‘continue his destructive behavior’ unless there is an authoritative intervention against him. She also revealed she quit her job as a massage therapist in May 2022 because she hasn’t felt safe since June of 2020.
The main reason Baxley has rejected settlement offers from Watson’s camp is because he hasn’t shown remorse throughout this process.
From The Daily Beast:
“I have rejected all settlement offers, in part because they have not included any sincere acknowledgment of remorse and wrongdoings, nor have they included any promises of rehabilitative treatment,” Baxley wrote. “Watson still refuses to admit that he harassed and committed indecent assault against me. Any settlement offer he has made has been a dismissal of his evil actions, and I know that unless there is an authoritative intervention, he will continue his destructive behavior.
“Because Watson repeatedly assaulted women, the institutions and individuals who currently uphold and employ him must also be held accountable.”
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Watson will be suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season. The Cleveland Browns quarterback must commit to mandatory evaluation from behavioral experts and counseling treatment as part of his punishment.
Baxley addressed the Haslam’s statements in her open letter to the Daily Beast.
‘The owner of the Browns insisted they ‘got comfortable’ meeting Deshaun Watson before awarding him with his record contract,’ she wrote. ‘I will admit, Deshaun Watson also ensured I felt comfortable before he trapped and assaulted me in a massage session he had promised beforehand was going to be ‘professional’ and ‘non-sexual.’ That’s what ambush predators do. They disguise themselves as something they are not.
‘If no one will insist that Deshaun Watson seek professional help for his addictions now, I fear that he will continue on this path of destruction for the rest of his life,’ Baxley continued. ‘The accounts of abuse and assault given under oath only scratch the surface of his brokenness. For the sake of women everywhere, I truly hope he finds a way to stop.’
Watson is eligible to play on Dec. 4 against the Houston Texans.
