Prescott Cleared of Civil Claims Amidst Prolonged Legal Battle
Months after Dallas police opted not to pursue charges, a Collin County judge has now dismissed the civil claims tied to sexual assault allegations against Dak Prescott, the star quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. This latest development clears Prescott of civil liability but leaves a convoluted legal saga that has spanned several years and multiple courts.
Allegations and Initial Legal Maneuvers
In 2017, Prescott found himself at the center of serious allegations, accused of sexual assault by a woman who initially sought an eye-watering $100 million to avoid taking the matter to the police. The gravity of the allegations led Prescott to proactively file both a civil lawsuit and a criminal report against his accuser, seeking to clear his name and defend his reputation.
By March, the accuser escalated the matter by filing a report with the Dallas Police Department. Prescott’s legal team, spearheaded by attorney Levi G. McCathern, responded firmly, challenging the credibility of the accusations and characterizing them as part of an extortion plot.
Shifting Legal Grounds
The legal chess match intensified in April when the accuser's attorney dropped a lawsuit in Dallas County, only to file a similar one in Collin County. The stakes were high, but Prescott’s team remained unwavering. By June, Judge Angela Tucker dismissed the accuser’s claims in Collin County, marking a significant legal victory for Prescott.
McCathern commended the thorough investigation conducted by the Dallas Police Department, stating, "As we knew they would, they found nothing in their extensive exploration of the facts that would support a criminal prosecution." This verdict corroborated Prescott's stance of innocence, providing him much-needed vindication.
Claims of Extortion
Throughout this period, Prescott has maintained that the allegations were not just unfounded but maliciously intended as part of an extortion scheme. "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," said McCathern.
Prescott’s civil lawsuit, seeking over $1 million, asserts that the allegations have caused significant harm to his reputation, while his legal team criticizes the accuser for undermining legitimate sexual assault survivors. "These ploys distract from the trauma of legitimate sexual assault survivors and undermine the progress that our society has made in supporting them," McCathern pointed out.
Future Legal Proceedings
In January, the accuser’s attorney had sent a letter suggesting a withdrawal of criminal charges in exchange for the initial $100 million demand, a move Prescott’s legal team dismissed outright. As the legal skirmish continues, Prescott and his accuser's lawsuits, now centered around extortion accusations, remain active in Collin County civil court.
A hearing set for September aims to determine the necessity of further legal action against the accuser. Despite the potential for more legal wrangling, Prescott appears determined to see justice served. "I know the truth, I'm confident in what we filed, very confident in what we filed," Prescott asserted.
Support System and Future
Through these tumultuous years, Prescott has leaned on his legal team and personal resolve, eschewing any settlement that might imply guilt. "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," strongly stated McCathern.
The complexities of this case have not escaped public scrutiny or affected Prescott's professional life. Entering the final season of a lucrative four-year, $160 million contract in 2024, Prescott remains a formidable presence on the field. Off the field, he has expressed empathy for genuine victims of sexual assault. "Mr. Prescott -- a new father to a baby girl -- has great empathy for survivors of sexual assault," said McCathern, highlighting the quarterback’s commitment to supporting legitimate causes.
The resolution in Collin County offers some respite for Prescott, but the litigation's end remains uncertain. The accuser's motion for a "non-suit without prejudice" enables her to refile the case in Dallas County, keeping the door open for potential future disputes. Yet, as of now, Prescott’s immediate legal hurdles appear to be gradually clearing.
As both teams prepare for the continuing legal challenges ahead, Prescott's legal counsel remains optimistic. McCathern stated, "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."
Indeed, the saga of Dak Prescott vs. his accuser underscores the labyrinthine interplay between legal strategies, public reputation, and the relentless pursuit of truth. For Prescott, both as an athlete and individual, navigating this ordeal has been no small feat, but the journey continues, backed by confidence in his innocence and the resilience to fight for it.