Sexual assault
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson gestures on the field during an NFL football practice at the team's training facility Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
If NFL had its way, Deshaun Watson's return would be on hold

By Rob Maaddi Dec. 02, 2022 08:51 PM EST

FILE - Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson leaves the field at the end of the first half against the Chicago Bears in an NFL preseason football game, Aug. 27, 2022, in Cleveland. An attorney for the women who settled their lawsuits against Deshaun Watson says most of his clients have no interest in his return to Houston on Sunday. But Tony Buzbee, their attorney, says about 10 of the women who accused Watson of sexual harassment and assault during massages planned to attend Sunday’s game at Houston’s NRG Stadium when the Browns take on the Texans and watch him play in his return from an 11-game suspension. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Attorney: As QB Watson returns, accusers say 'we matter'

By Juan A. Lozano Nov. 29, 2022 01:51 PM EST

Liability finding in Conley rape allegation to be appealed

Nov. 26, 2022 11:56 AM EST
CLEVELAND (AP) — An attorney is vowing an appeal for a woman found liable by a civil jury for malicious prosecution in a rape allegation she made against a former...

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott speaks during a news conference after an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
SDSU defends handling of Araiza gang-rape allegation inquiry

By Bernie Wilson And John Wawrow Aug. 29, 2022 08:58 PM EDT

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott speaks during a news conference after an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Bills release punter Matt Araiza after gang rape allegation

By John Wawrow Aug. 27, 2022 07:59 PM EDT

FILE - Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza waves to fans after a preseason NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Orchard Park, N.Y., Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. With a nickname like "Punt God," Matt Araiza has all but assured himself to securing a spot on the Buffalo Bills roster. The Bills cleared the way for the rookie sixth-round pick out of San Diego State to take over the punting duties this season after releasing returning veteran Matt Haack on Monday, Aug. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)
Analysis: Bills' 'thorough examination' clearly failed

By Rob Maaddi Aug. 27, 2022 03:28 PM EDT

FILE - Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza waves to fans after a preseason NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Orchard Park, N.Y., Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. With a nickname like "Punt God," Matt Araiza has all but assured himself to securing a spot on the Buffalo Bills roster. The Bills cleared the way for the rookie sixth-round pick out of San Diego State to take over the punting duties this season after releasing returning veteran Matt Haack on Monday, Aug. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)
Bills' investigation of Araiza didn't include alleged victim

By John Wawrow Aug. 26, 2022 05:46 PM EDT

Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza, left, celebrates with place-kicker Tyler Bass, right, after Bass kicked the go-ahead field goal in the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills won 27-24. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Araiza, 2 SDSU teammates accused of gang rape in civil suit

By Bernie Wilson And Julie Watson Aug. 25, 2022 09:18 PM EDT

FILE - Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Aug. 12, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, that Watson has reached a settlement with the NFL and will serve an 11-game suspension and pay a $5 million fine rather than risk missing his first season as quarterback of the Browns following accusations of sexual misconduct while he played for the Houston Texans. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Browns' Deshaun Watson suspended 11 games, fined $5 million

By Tom Withers Aug. 18, 2022 12:09 PM EDT

Ashley Solis, left, the first woman among several plaintiffs to file lawsuits accusing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault or harassment, speaks as her attorney Tony Buzbee stands beside her during a news conference to give an update to the lawsuits Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, in Houston. The NFL is appealing a disciplinary officer's decision to suspend Watson for six games for violating the league's personal conduct policy. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Attorney urges Goodell to 'do the right thing' on Watson

By Kristie Rieken Aug. 04, 2022 06:35 PM EDT

FILE - Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is greeted by fans before the team's NCAA college football game against Louisville on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, in Clemson, S.C. The NFL suspended Watson for six games on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022 for violating its personal conduct policy following accusations of sexual misconduct made against him by two dozen women in Texas, two people familiar with the decision said. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt, FIle)
EXPLAINER: Watson discipline didn't require legal charges

By Rob Maaddi Aug. 01, 2022 09:04 AM EDT

Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Deshaun Watson (4) and Jacoby Brissett (7) jog during the NFL football team's training camp, Monday, August 1, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. Watson was suspended for six games on Monday after being accused by two dozen women in Texas of sexual misconduct during massage treatments, in what a disciplinary officer said was behavior “more egregious than any before reviewed by the NFL.” (AP Photo/Nick Cammett)
Browns QB Watson suspended 6 games, NFL weighs appeal

By Rob Maaddi Aug. 01, 2022 08:29 AM EDT

FILE - Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Carson, Calif. The Houston Texans had been told that their former quarterback Deshaun Watson was sexually assaulting and harassing women during massage sessions, but instead of trying to stop him, the team provided him with resources to enable his actions and “turned a blind eye” to his behavior, according to a lawsuit filed Monday, June 27, 2022. Watson, who was later traded to the Cleveland Browns, has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to clear his name. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
Lawyer: 30 women settle Watson-related claims against Texans

By Juan A. Lozano Jul. 15, 2022 01:44 PM EDT

FILE - This Dec. 1, 2012 file photo shows a silhouette of a crucifix and a stained glass window inside a Catholic Church in New Orleans. The FBI has opened a widening investigation into sex abuse in the Roman Catholic Church in New Orleans going back decades, a rare federal foray into such cases looking specifically at whether priests took children across state lines to molest them, officials and others familiar with the inquiry told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
FBI opens sweeping probe of clergy sex abuse in New Orleans

By Jim Mustian Jun. 29, 2022 10:14 AM EDT

FILE - Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Carson, Calif. The Houston Texans had been told that their former quarterback Deshaun Watson was sexually assaulting and harassing women during massage sessions, but instead of trying to stop him, the team provided him with resources to enable his actions and “turned a blind eye” to his behavior, according to a lawsuit filed Monday, June 27, 2022. Watson, who was later traded to the Cleveland Browns, has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to clear his name. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
Lawsuit: Texans 'turned a blind eye' to QB Watson's actions

By Juan A. Lozano Jun. 27, 2022 02:39 PM EDT

FILE - Dan Snyder, co-owner and co-CEO of the Washington Commanders, poses for photos during an event to unveil the NFL football team's new identity, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Landover, Md. A woman accused Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder of sexually harassing and assaulting her on a team plane in 2009, and the woman was later paid $1.6 million by the team to settle her claims, according to a document obtained by the Washington Post, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
Report: Woman accused Commanders' Snyder of 2009 sex assault

Jun. 21, 2022 08:59 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson answers a question at the NFL football team's practice facility Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
All eyes on the NFL's pending decision on Deshaun Watson

By Rob Maaddi Jun. 16, 2022 12:56 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns new quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Friday, March 25, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
QB Watson's legal woes far from over as he reports to Browns

By Juan A. Lozano Apr. 20, 2022 04:50 PM EDT

FILE - Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) practices with the team during NFL football practice Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Houston. A judge has declined efforts by attorneys for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson to delay all his depositions in connection with lawsuits filed by 22 women who have accused him of sexual assault and harassment. During a court hearing Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, defense attorney Rusty Hardin asked that depositions be delayed until the end of a criminal investigation. (AP Photo/Justin Rex File)
EXPLAINER: Not indicted, what's next for Deshaun Watson?

By Kristie Rieken Mar. 14, 2022 02:21 PM EDT

Grand jury declines to indict Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson over harassment, sex assault allegations

Mar. 11, 2022 04:39 PM EST
HOUSTON (AP) — Grand jury declines to indict Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson over harassment, sex assault allegations. ...