Months after the Dallas Police Department decided not to pursue charges, a Collin County judge has cleared Dak Prescott of all civil claims related to the sexual assault allegations levied against him. These allegations, dating back to 2017, have haunted the NFL star for years.
The accuser initially sought a staggering $100 million in exchange for not reporting the matter to the police. Despite this, she filed a report with the Dallas Police Department in March. Following this, Prescott countered with both a civil lawsuit and a criminal report against the accuser. The accusations quickly took on a legal life of their own, with a series of lawsuits and motions defining the subsequent months.
In April, the accuser’s attorney dropped a Dallas County lawsuit, opting instead to file a similar one in Collin County. However, by June, Collin County Judge Angela Tucker dismissed the accuser’s claims. The Dallas Police Department, after an exhaustive investigation, concluded there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations against Prescott.
Prescott's Legal Counter-Offensive
Prescott remains steadfast in his defense. He has filed a civil lawsuit seeking over $1 million, citing extortion as the primary cause. The accuser's attorney attempted to negotiate in January, suggesting she would forego pursuing criminal charges in exchange for $100 million—a move that only intensified Prescott's resolve.
Levi G. McCathern, Prescott’s attorney, stated confidently, "As we knew they would, they found nothing in their extensive exploration of the facts that would support a criminal prosecution." McCathern did not mince words, claiming, "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." This controversy, he suggests, detracts from the genuine trauma experienced by legitimate sexual assault survivors and undermines societal support for them.
These sentiments were echoed by Prescott, who maintains his innocence with unwavering confidence. "I know the truth. I'm confident in what we filed, very confident in what we filed," Prescott said. When pressed for comment, he succinctly added, "Has nothing to do with it."
Legal Proceedings and Continuing Battle
Both Prescott’s lawsuit and the accuser's counter-suit for extortion continue to clash in Collin County civil court. Added uncertainty looms over a hearing scheduled for September, which aims to determine if legal action against the accuser is necessary. The accuser’s motion for a "non-suit without prejudice" complicates matters further, as it leaves the door open for her to refile the case in Dallas County.
McCathern addressed this ongoing saga with resolute anticipation, saying, “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.” His words underscore Prescott’s ongoing struggle to clear his name completely while turning the legal tables on his accuser.
Personal Reflections
Beyond the courtroom, Prescott has his personal life to contend with. Recently becoming a father to a baby girl, the quarterback feels an even greater empathy for survivors of sexual assault. "Mr. Prescott—a new father to a baby girl—has great empathy for survivors of sexual assault," McCathern shared, adding another layer to Prescott’s public persona. According to McCathern, "To be clear, Mr. Prescott has never engaged in any non-consensual, 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 Prescott prepares for the final season of his four-year, $160 million contract in 2024, he stands firm in his commitment to both his career and his defense. The upcoming months will undoubtedly bring more developments in this convoluted legal battle, but for now, Prescott can take solace in Judge Tucker’s ruling and the conclusion reached by the Dallas Police Department.