Months after the Dallas police department opted not to pursue charges, a Collin County judge has exonerated Dak Prescott from all civil claims concerning the sexual assault allegations made against him. This ruling significantly impacts the trajectory of a saga that began in 2017 when Prescott first faced these serious accusations.
A Chronology of Allegations and Legal Maneuvers
The initial allegations in 2017 saw Prescott accused of sexual assault, with the accuser purportedly seeking an astonishing $100 million to avoid escalating the matter to law enforcement. Matters took a more formal turn in March when the accuser filed a report with the Dallas Police Department. In response, Prescott not only filed a civil lawsuit but also a criminal report against the accuser, signaling his determination to fight the allegations aggressively.
The subsequent months saw a flurry of legal activity. In April, the accuser's attorney withdrew a lawsuit in Dallas County only to reintroduce a similar case in Collin County. However, this attempt was short-lived as Judge Angela Tucker dismissed the claims in June, citing insufficient evidence. Before this, the Dallas Police Department had already concluded their investigation, determining that there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations against Prescott.
A Public Battle
Levi G. McCathern, Prescott’s attorney, has been vociferous in his defense of Prescott, labeling the allegations as part of an elaborate extortion scheme. "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, asserting, "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." McCathern went on to express concern over the broader societal implications of such false allegations, pointing out that these ploys "distract from the trauma of legitimate sexual assault survivors and undermine the progress that our society has made in supporting them."
For his part, Prescott has remained steadfast in his innocence. "I know the truth, I'm confident in what we filed, very confident in what we filed," Prescott stated. His determination to clear his name has also led him to file a civil lawsuit demanding over $1 million in damages for what he characterizes as extortion.
An Ongoing Legal Chess Match
The legal battles are far from over. Prescott's lawsuit is set to clash with the accuser's own claims of extortion in Collin County's civil courts. The accuser’s motion for a "non-suit without prejudice" potentially leaves the door open for her to refile the case in Dallas County, indicating that the legal drama might continue to unfold in different arenas. A hearing is also scheduled for September to decide if further legal action against the accuser is warranted.
Prescott’s attorney remains confident that justice will ultimately be served in favor of his client. "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," McCathern proclaimed. He also emphasized Prescott's empathy towards real victims of sexual assault, noting, "Mr. Prescott -- a new father to a baby girl -- has great empathy for survivors of sexual assault."
With Prescott entering the final season of a four-year, $160 million contract in 2024, the resolution of these legal challenges could play a pivotal role in shaping his professional future. Prescott remains determined to not let these allegations tarnish his reputation. "To be clear, Mr. Prescott has never engaged in any nonconsensual, sexual conduct with anyone. Lies hurt. Especially, malicious lies," McCathern declared, capturing the high stakes and emotional toll of this protracted legal battle. "We will not allow the Defendant and her legal team to profit from this attempt to extort millions from Mr. Prescott."
As the legal proceedings continue to evolve, all eyes will be on how Prescott navigates these tumultuous waters, both on and off the field.