Months after the Dallas Police Department decided not to move forward with any charges, a Collin County judge has now cleared Dak Prescott of all civil claims related to the sexual assault allegations made against him. The case, which has its origins in accusations dating back to 2017, has seen a series of legal maneuvers and public statements that have drawn considerable attention.
The allegations against Prescott first surfaced when the accuser sought an astonishing $100 million in exchange for not reporting the matter to the police. Despite the initial demand, the accuser did eventually file a report with the Dallas Police Department in March. The subsequent investigation by the police concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support any claims against Prescott. "As we knew they would, they found nothing in their extensive exploration of the facts that would support a criminal prosecution," said Levi G. McCathern, Prescott’s attorney.
In response to the allegations, Prescott took the offensive, filing both a civil lawsuit and a criminal report against the accuser. These legal actions were part of a wider strategy to contend with what Prescott’s camp has described as an extortion plot. McCathern was particularly vocal about his perspective on the situation, 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."
Legal Tug-of-War
Adding complexity to the matter, the accuser’s legal team initially filed a lawsuit in Dallas County, which was later dropped only to be refiled in Collin County. This attempt did not fare better, as Judge Angela Tucker dismissed the accuser’s claims in June. Prescott remarked on the matter with confidence, "I know the truth, I'm confident in what we filed, very confident in what we filed." As proceedings continued to unfold, the ongoing narrative revealed an intricate legal tug-of-war.
Prescott's legal team did not remain passive. They escalated their battle by filing a civil lawsuit seeking over $1 million, citing extortion. Evidence provided by Prescott’s attorney suggested that in January, the accuser’s lawyer sent a letter offering to drop the pursuit of criminal charges in exchange for $100 million. Levi G. McCathern further commented on the strain that such tactics place on real victims, stating, "These ploys distract from the trauma of legitimate sexual assault survivors and undermine the progress that our society has made in supporting them."
Looking to the Courts
The battle appears far from over. While Prescott has been cleared of the civil claims, his lawsuit and the accuser's allegations of extortion continue to clash in Collin County’s civil court. To add another twist, the accuser's motion for a "non-suit without prejudice" leaves the door open for her to refile the case yet again, this time potentially in Dallas County. A hearing is scheduled for September, which aims to determine if further legal action against the accuser is necessary.
Prescott’s Position
Prescott, amid this legal storm, continues to focus on his professional career. Entering the final season of his four-year, $160 million contract in 2024, Prescott remains unfazed by the allegations. He conveyed his frustration, saying, "Has nothing to do with it," when probed about the impact of the allegations on his professional life.
McCathern offers a glimpse into Prescott’s personal life, painting the picture of a man deeply affected by the allegations. "Mr. Prescott -- a new father to a baby girl -- has great empathy for survivors of sexual assault," McCathern said, highlighting the emotional toll this case has taken on Prescott. He added, "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."
A Resolute Jefferson
In the face of these accusations, Prescott remains resolute, guided by his conviction of 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 firmly stated.
This unfolding drama continues to captivate both legal experts and fans. As Prescott prepares for what could be a climactic season on the field, the courtroom battles behind the scenes remain an equally intense contest, one where the stakes are reputational rather than athletic.