Months after the Dallas police opted not to pursue charges, a Collin County judge has exonerated Dak Prescott of all civil claims stemming from sexual assault allegations levied against him. These allegations, which date back to 2017, initially prompted the accuser to seek an astonishing $100 million in exchange for not escalating the matter to law enforcement.
Legal Battle Unfolds
What began as an accusation morphed into a convoluted legal saga. In March, the accuser filed a report with the Dallas Police Department, reigniting the case. Prescott responded by filing both a civil lawsuit and a criminal complaint against the accuser, setting the stage for a heated courtroom confrontation.
By April, the accuser’s legal team had strategically withdrawn a lawsuit in Dallas County, only to file a comparable suit in adjacent Collin County. However, in June, Judge Angela Tucker dismissed the accuser’s claims, delivering a significant victory for Prescott. "As we knew they would, they found nothing in their extensive exploration of the facts that would support a criminal prosecution," said Prescott's attorney, Levi G. McCathern.
Insufficient Evidence and Accusations of Extortion
Following an extensive investigation, the Dallas Police Department announced it had found insufficient evidence to support the allegations against Prescott. Concurrently, Prescott pursued his own civil lawsuit, seeking over $1 million on grounds of extortion. McCathern vocally criticized the accuser's actions, stating, "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 accuser's camp had dramatized their demands, with legal documents revealing a letter sent in January that suggested dropping criminal charges in return for a staggering $100 million. McCathern and Prescott's legal team have consistently framed these actions as an elaborate plot to extract money.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
The legal back-and-forth is far from over. A hearing set for September will determine whether further legal action against the accuser is warranted. While Prescott remains embroiled in litigation over the extortion claims, the accuser has the option to refile her case in Dallas County, having filed a motion for a "non-suit without prejudice."
A Career and Reputation at Stake
Prescott, who is entering the final season of a lucrative four-year, $160 million contract in 2024, remains determined to clear his name. Speaking confidently, he asserted, "I know the truth, I'm confident in what we filed, very confident in what we filed." Prescott's legal team has consistently underscored his empathy for genuine sexual assault survivors, contrasting it with the currently disputed claims against him. "Mr. Prescott -- a new father to a baby girl -- has great empathy for survivors of sexual assault," McCathern explained.
Throughout this ordeal, Prescott has maintained his 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 emphasized.
The continuing legal proceedings will undoubtedly capture public interest and media scrutiny, but Prescott and his team remain steadfast. "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 predicted.
With a promising NFL career and a reputation built on the field, Prescott's battle is emblematic of the broader issues faced by public figures in an era where allegations can rapidly upend lives and careers. For now, all eyes will be on the September hearing, as Prescott seeks both justice and vindication.