Months after the Dallas Police Department elected not to pursue charges, a Collin County judge has exonerated Dak Prescott of all civil claims tied to the sexual assault allegations made against him.
Years of Legal Battles
The accusations date back to 2017, when Dak Prescott was initially accused of sexual assault. The accuser sought a staggering $100 million in exchange for not reporting the incident to the police. The case took a significant turn in March when the accuser officially filed a report with the Dallas Police Department.
In response, Prescott filed both a civil lawsuit and a criminal report against the accuser. By April, the accuser’s attorney had dropped a Dallas County lawsuit, only to file a similar one in Collin County. Judge Angela Tucker dismissed the claims against Prescott in June, citing insufficient evidence to support the allegations. The Dallas Police Department had already reached a similar conclusion, stating there was not enough evidence to proceed with a criminal prosecution.
Extortion Allegations
Prescott did not just sit back during this tumultuous period. He filed a civil lawsuit seeking over $1 million, accusing the plaintiff of extortion. The narrative took another twist in January when the accuser’s attorney sent a letter offering to drop the pursuit of criminal charges for a hefty $100 million payout. Levi G. McCathern, Prescott's lawyer, did not mince words, emphasizing the deceit: "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."
Empathy for Real Victims
As the legal battles continued, McCathern pointed out the damaging effects of false accusations: "These ploys distract from the trauma of legitimate sexual assault survivors and undermine the progress our society has made in supporting them." He further added, "Mr. Prescott -- a new father to a baby girl -- has great empathy for survivors of sexual assault."
Prescott, confident and unwavering, stated, "I know the truth, I'm confident in what we filed, very confident in what we filed." He backed this with a clear declaration of his integrity: "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."
Future Legal Implications
Despite the dismissal in Collin County, the legal drama is far from over. The accuser’s attorney has left the door open to refile the case in Dallas County, ensuring that this legal saga continues. Both Prescott’s lawsuit and the accuser's claim of extortion remain active in civil court, setting the stage for further legal confrontations.
A hearing is slated for September to determine whether further legal action against the accuser is warranted. McCathern remains optimistic, stating, "We are confident that at the end of law enforcement's investigation into the extortion case, they will find the accuser and her attorneys just as guilty as Dak is innocent."
As this high-profile case unfolds, Prescott is preparing for the final season of his four-year, $160 million contract in 2024. Amidst the legal entanglements, the quarterback remains focused on his professional commitments, steadfast in his resolve to clear his name and move forward.