Judge Clears Dak Prescott of Civil Claims Amid Ongoing Court Battle
Months after the Dallas Police Department decided against pressing charges, Dak Prescott has been cleared of all civil claims related to sexual assault allegations made against him. A Collin County judge dismissed these claims, closing a significant chapter in a legal saga punctuated by extortion accusations and courtroom battles.
The allegations against Prescott trace back to 2017, when he was accused of sexual assault. Initially, the accuser sought a staggering $100 million in exchange for not pursuing the matter with law enforcement. By March of this year, the accuser moved forward with filing a report with the Dallas Police Department.
Prescott did not sit idly by. He responded by filing both a civil lawsuit and a criminal report against his accuser, underscoring his stance that the accusations were baseless and motivated by extortion. Levi G. McCathern, Prescott's attorney, has been vocal about their position. "As we knew they would, they found nothing in their extensive exploration of the facts that would support a criminal prosecution," he stated.
In April, the accuser’s attorney dropped the Dallas County lawsuit only to file a similar claim in Collin County. However, in June, Judge Angela Tucker dismissed these claims, further substantiating Prescott's assertion of innocence.
Despite the dismissal, the legal battle is far from over. Prescott has countered with a civil lawsuit seeking over $1 million from the accuser, citing extortion. According to McCathern, "The original lies by [the accuser], her team, and their recent failed attempt to sue him civilly are all just a continuation of their extortion plot against Dak."
The Dallas Police Department’s investigation concluded there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations against Prescott. Their findings align with McCathern's remarks that "these ploys distract from the trauma of legitimate sexual assault survivors and undermine the progress that our society has made in supporting them."
The accuser's attorney had made an audacious move in January, sending a letter suggesting she would drop the pursuit of criminal charges if a $100 million payment were made. This tactic backfired, adding weight to Prescott’s stance on extortion.
In the midst of this legal turmoil, Prescott maintains his confidence and clarity. "I know the truth, I'm confident in what we filed, very confident in what we filed," he expressed, standing firm against the allegations. He also emphasized the allegations’ irrelevance to his character and career, stating, "Has nothing to do with it."
Prescott, a new father to a baby girl, has expressed his empathy for true survivors of sexual assault. McCathern echoed this sentiment, stating, "Mr. Prescott -- a new father to a baby girl -- has great empathy for survivors of sexual assault." The attorney continued, "We are confident that at the end of law enforcement's investigation into the extortion case that they will find the accuser and her attorneys just as guilty as Dak is innocent."
As Prescott enters the final season of a four-year, $160 million contract in 2024, the ongoing legal battles cast a shadow over his professional life. Nonetheless, he and his legal team remain steadfast in their approach. "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 proclaimed.
A hearing is scheduled for September to determine the necessity of further legal action against the accuser. Meanwhile, the civil court battle continues in Collin County, with Prescott's lawsuit and the accuser's allegations of extortion clashing head-to-head. The accuser's motion for a "non-suit without prejudice" also signifies potential future legal proceedings, as it leaves the door open for her to refile the case in Dallas County.
As the dust continues to settle, the unfolding events could serve as a pivotal reference point in how extortion claims are handled in sports and the persisting complexities of public figures facing unverified allegations.