Months after the Dallas police decided not to move forward with any charges, a Collin County judge has cleared Dak Prescott of all civil claims related to the sexual assault allegations against him. The legal battles, stemming from accusations dating back to 2017, seem to persist in the civil court, but recent developments have significantly shifted the narrative in Prescott's favor.
Accusations and Legal Maneuvers
In 2017, Prescott faced accusations of sexual assault. The accuser initially sought an astronomical $100 million in exchange for not pursuing the matter with law enforcement. This demand set the stage for a series of legal confrontations. When the accuser filed a report with the Dallas Police Department in March, Prescott responded with both a civil lawsuit and a criminal report, alleging extortion.
In April, the case took a turn when the accuser's attorney dropped a lawsuit filed in Dallas County, only to refile a similar suit in Collin County. Judge Angela Tucker eventually dismissed the claims in June, ruling in Prescott's favor. The Dallas Police Department concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations against the star quarterback.
Legal Counterattack
Prescott, determined to clear his name, did not stop at merely countering the claims. He filed a civil lawsuit seeking over $1 million, citing attempts at extortion by his accuser. A letter sent by the accuser’s attorney in January suggested dropping the criminal charges if Prescott agreed to pay the $100 million, a move that Prescott and his legal team saw as clear evidence of extortion.
His attorney, Levi G. McCathern, was outspoken about the developments: "As we knew they would, they found nothing in their extensive exploration of the facts that would support a criminal prosecution." McCathern did not mince words when addressing the nature of the accusations, calling the actions of the accuser and her team a "continuation of their extortion plot against Dak." He added that such ploys only distract from the trauma of legitimate sexual assault survivors and undermine societal progress in supporting them.
Ongoing Battle
Despite the recent victories, Prescott's legal saga is far from over. Both his lawsuit and the accuser's suit, which alleges extortion, continue to collide head-to-head in civil court in Collin County. The accuser’s motion for a "non-suit without prejudice" leaves the possibility open for re-filing the case in Dallas County, ensuring that Prescott remains entangled in ongoing legal challenges.
Prescott’s Response
Throughout these turbulent times, Prescott has maintained his innocence and confidence in his legal standing. In his own words, "I know the truth, I'm confident in what we filed, very confident in what we filed." He emphasized that the allegations have "nothing to do with" his actual conduct.
Personal and Professional Toll
The ordeal undoubtedly has taken a personal toll on Prescott, who recently became a father. McCathern highlighted Prescott's empathy for survivors of sexual assault and reiterated his client's innocence: "To be clear, Mr. Prescott has never engaged in any nonconsensual, sexual conduct with anyone. Lies hurt. Especially, malicious lies. We will not allow the Defendant and her legal team to profit from this attempt to extort millions from Mr. Prescott."
McCathern expressed confidence that law enforcement's investigation into the extortion case would eventually reveal the accuser and her attorneys' culpability, standing in stark contrast to Prescott's innocence.
As the legal drama continues, Prescott is also gearing up for the final season of his four-year, $160 million contract in 2024. It's a pivotal moment in the quarterback's career, both on and off the field, as he strives to maintain focus amid ongoing distractions.
In September, a hearing is scheduled to determine if further legal action against the accuser is necessary. For now, Prescott and his legal team remain unwavering in their pursuit of justice and vindication.