Months of legal uncertainty have culminated in a significant development for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. A Collin County judge has dismissed all civil claims against Prescott, bringing a measure of relief to the NFL star embroiled in sexual assault allegations dating back to 2017. This decision follows a period in which Dallas police also decided not to pursue any charges due to insufficient evidence.
Allegations and Legal Maneuvering
The case began in 2017 when Prescott was accused of sexual assault. The accuser initially demanded a staggering $100 million to keep the matter from reaching law enforcement. Despite this, a formal report was filed with the Dallas Police Department in March, and Prescott responded with both a civil lawsuit and a criminal report against the accuser.
In a convoluted series of legal tactics, the accuser's attorney initially dropped a lawsuit filed in Dallas County, only to refile a similar one in Collin County. However, in June, Judge Angela Tucker of Collin County dismissed the claims, aligning with the Dallas Police Department’s findings that there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations against Prescott.
Accusations of Extortion
Levi G. McCathern, Prescott's attorney, was forthright in his condemnation of the accuser's actions. "As we knew they would, they found nothing in their extensive exploration of the facts that would support a criminal prosecution," McCathern stated. He further criticized the accuser's actions as an "extortion plot," pointing out the negative impact on genuine survivors of sexual assault. "These ploys distract from the trauma of legitimate sexual assault survivors and undermine the progress that our society has made in supporting them," McCathern noted.
Prescott, entering the final season of a four-year, $160 million contract in 2024, expressed confidence in the legal filings. "I know the truth, I'm confident in what we filed, very confident in what we filed," Prescott said, adamantly stating that the ongoing legal battle "has nothing to do with" his personal conduct. Levi G. McCathern reinforced Prescott's stance, declaring, "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."
Ongoing Legal Battle
Despite the judge's recent dismissal, the legal confrontation is far from over. Prescott’s lawsuit seeking over $1 million, citing extortion, is still active, as is the accuser's suit alleging similar charges against Prescott. These cases continue to be litigated in civil court in Collin County. A hearing scheduled for September will be a pivotal moment, potentially determining if further legal action against the accuser is warranted.
In a letter sent in January, the accuser's attorney suggested dropping pursuit of criminal charges for a payout of $100 million, an offer that further solidified Prescott's stance that these actions are driven by ulterior motives. The accuser's recent motion for a "non-suit without prejudice" leaves room for the case to be refiled in Dallas County, ensuring that this legal saga may yet have new chapters.
Impact and Perspectives
Through it all, Prescott maintains his innocence and empathy for true victims of sexual crimes. "Mr. Prescott -- a new father to a baby girl -- has great empathy for survivors of sexual assault," McCathern said, emphasizing Prescott's moral stance amid the ongoing tumult. "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."
Prescott's case serves as a complex and eye-opening chapter in the interplay between sports, law, and personal reputation. As the upcoming legal proceedings shape the final outcomes, the professional and personal life of one of the NFL’s prominent figures hangs in the balance.