Prescott Cleared of Civil Claims Amid Ongoing Legal Battles
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has been cleared of all civil claims related to sexual assault allegations stemming from 2017. This development comes months after the Dallas Police Department concluded there was insufficient evidence to pursue any criminal charges against him.
The allegations emerged when the accuser, whose identity has been withheld, initially sought a staggering $100 million in exchange for not filing a police report. In March, the accuser eventually approached the Dallas Police Department with her claims. As the case garnered public attention, legal actions ensued on multiple fronts.
Prescott responded to the accusations by filing both a civil lawsuit and a criminal report against the accuser, citing extortion. His legal team, led by attorney Levi G. McCathern, remained adamant about Prescott's innocence, labeling the allegations as part of an extortion plot. "As we knew they would, they found nothing in their extensive exploration of the facts that would support a criminal prosecution," McCathern stated.
Legal Maneuvers and Court Decisions
The legal skirmish took a turn in April when the accuser’s attorney dropped a lawsuit in Dallas County, only to refile a similar suit in Collin County. By June, Judge Angela Tucker dismissed the accuser’s claims, marking a significant victory for Prescott and his legal team. Despite this, Prescott's battle wasn't entirely over.
Prescott had also filed a civil lawsuit seeking over $1 million in damages, maintaining that the accusations were a malicious attempt to extort money from him. In January, the accuser’s attorney had suggested dropping the pursuit of criminal charges if Prescott paid $100 million—a move which Prescott’s team vehemently opposed.
"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 remarked about the ongoing legal drama. He further emphasized the broader societal impact of such false claims, stating, "These ploys distract from the trauma of legitimate sexual assault survivors and undermine the progress that our society has made in supporting them."
Ongoing Court Challenges
Despite the dismissal, the legal battles continue to unfold. The accuser’s motion for a "non-suit without prejudice" in Collin County allows her the option to refile the case in Dallas County, leaving a potential for future legal confrontations. Meanwhile, Prescott remains focused on clearing his name completely.
"I know the truth, I'm confident in what we filed, very confident in what we filed," Prescott expressed, standing firm in his defense against the allegations. His legal team is equally confident, with McCathern 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."
A Personal and Professional Battle
Beyond the courtroom, these allegations have had personal repercussions for Prescott, who recently became a father to a baby girl. Levi G. McCathern poignantly noted, "Mr. Prescott -- a new father to a baby girl -- has great empathy for survivors of sexual assault." He further assured the public, "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."
As the legal dust settles, Prescott’s focus sharpens back onto the field. Heading into the final season of a four-year, $160 million contract in 2024, he aims to put these allegations behind him and concentrate on his football career. Nevertheless, a hearing scheduled for September will determine if further legal actions against the accuser are necessary, ensuring this narrative is far from its final chapter.
For now, Dak Prescott remains resolute, battling both in the courts and on the turf, as he strives to clear his name and return to doing what he does best—playing football.