Months after Dallas police refrained from pursuing charges, a Collin County judge has officially cleared Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott of all civil claims related to sexual assault allegations against him. This new ruling brings some closure to an ordeal that began in 2017 when Prescott was first accused of sexual misconduct.
The allegations made headlines once again when the accuser sought a staggering $100 million to keep the case from reaching the police. Despite the initial hush money demand, in March, the accuser filed a report with the Dallas Police Department. Not taking the accusation lightly, Prescott responded by filing both a civil lawsuit and a criminal report against the accuser, who later dropped a Dallas County lawsuit in April only to refile similar claims in Collin County.
Legal Battles and Dismissals
Judge Angela Tucker dismissed the accuser's claims in June, ruling in favor of Prescott. The Dallas Police Department had earlier concluded there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations against him. This dismissal was a significant step for Prescott, who had also filed a civil lawsuit seeking over $1 million, citing extortion. According to Prescott's attorney, Levi G. McCathern, the accuser's side had sent a letter in January suggesting she would drop the pursuit of criminal charges in return for the enormous sum of $100 million.
"As we knew they would, they found nothing in their extensive exploration of the facts that would support a criminal prosecution," McCathern asserted. He also emphasized the baseless nature of the claims, saying, "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."
Confident in the Truth
"I know the truth," Prescott remarked, reflecting a stance of unwavering confidence during the tumultuous legal battles. "I'm confident in what we filed, very confident in what we filed." Prescott, who is entering the final season of a four-year, $160 million contract in 2024, had repeatedly declared his innocence throughout the process. "To be clear, Mr. Prescott has never engaged in any nonconsensual, sexual conduct with anyone," McCathern added, emphasizing the quarterback's integrity.
Prescott's strong stance against the allegations was echoed by McCathern, who pointed out the harm such false accusations cause to genuine victims of sexual assault. "These ploys distract from the trauma of legitimate sexual assault survivors and undermine the progress that our society has made in supporting them," he stated.
Unresolved Matters and Ongoing Legal Drama
The narrative, however, is far from complete. A hearing scheduled for September will determine if further legal action against the accuser is warranted. McCathern is optimistic about the outcome, stating, "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."
The accuser's attorney's recent motion for a "non-suit without prejudice" remains a point of contention, as it leaves open the possibility for her to refile the case in Dallas County. The legal tussle between Prescott's lawsuit and the accuser's counter-allegations of extortion continues to unfold in Collin County's civil court. Prescott's legal team remains vigilant, committed to ensuring that justice is served and the baseless allegations are fully dispelled.
Empathy Amid Legal Challenges
Amid the legal storm, it's important to note Prescott's empathy for survivors of sexual assault, highlighted by McCathern, who mentioned that Prescott is "a new father to a baby girl" and has "great empathy for survivors of sexual assault."
The courtroom battles and corresponding media attention have placed Prescott in an unenviable spotlight. Yet, through all the legal wrangling and public scrutiny, Prescott stands firm, defending his character and seeking to expose what his legal team insists is a deliberate attempt at extortion. "Lies hurt," McCathern said, summing up the emotional toll these events have taken. "Especially, malicious lies. We will not allow the Defendant and her legal team to profit from this attempt to extort millions from Mr. Prescott."
As the September hearing approaches, all eyes will be on Collin County's civil court to see what unfolds next in this ongoing saga. For now, Prescott continues to focus on his career and personal life, determined to move past the allegations and back onto the field where he has proven time and again that he belongs.