Judge Clears Prescott of Civil Claims More Than Six Years After Allegations Surface
In a significant turn of events, a Collin County judge has dismissed all civil claims against Dak Prescott related to the sexual assault allegations that have haunted him since 2017. This decision arrives months after the Dallas Police Department opted not to proceed with any charges, citing insufficient evidence.
A Long-Standing Accusation
The allegations were first brought to light when Prescott was accused of sexual assault back in 2017. The case took a dramatic turn when the accuser reportedly sought $100 million in exchange for not involving law enforcement. Despite the initial hush money demand, the accuser later filed a report with the Dallas Police Department in March.
The situation became more tangled when Prescott decided to fight back through both civil and criminal avenues. He filed a civil lawsuit seeking over $1 million, alleging extortion, while also filing a criminal report against the accuser. Undeterred, the accuser’s attorney initially filed a lawsuit in Dallas County, only to withdraw it and refile a similar one in Collin County by April.
Judicial Intervention
Judge Angela Tucker’s decision to dismiss the accuser's claims in June marked a pivotal moment in this saga. The ruling reinforced the Dallas Police Department’s earlier conclusion of insufficient evidence to support the allegations against Prescott.
Prescott’s legal team, led by attorney Levi G. McCathern, has been vocal throughout the process. Expressing confidence in the outcome from the beginning, McCathern stated, "As we knew they would, they found nothing in their extensive exploration of the facts that would support a criminal prosecution."
Ongoing Legal Battles
Despite the civil claims being dismissed, the legal battleground is far from clear. The accuser's attorney has left open the possibility of reopening the case in Dallas County by filing a "non-suit without prejudice." Meanwhile, Prescott's civil lawsuit against the accuser, alleging extortion, is set to continue in Collin County.
The cloud of these accusations has consistently shadowed Prescott, who is now entering the final season of a four-year, $160 million contract in 2024. Prescott has maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal. "I know the truth, I'm confident in what we filed, very confident in what we filed," he asserted.
Maintaining Integrity
McCathern has not held back in condemning the accuser's actions and their wider impact. "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," he stated. Highlighting the broader implications, he added, "These ploys distract from the trauma of legitimate sexual assault survivors and undermine the progress that our society has made in supporting them."
In an effort to clarify Prescott’s stance, McCathern emphasized, "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."
Adding a personal touch, McCathern noted Prescott's empathy for real victims, "Mr. Prescott -- a new father to a baby girl -- has great empathy for survivors of sexual assault."
Future Legal Action
As Prescott's lawsuit claims continue to clash with the allegations of extortion, a hearing has been scheduled for September. This will determine if further legal action against the accuser is warranted. McCathern expressed optimism, 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."
For now, Dak Prescott can perhaps find some solace in Judge Tucker’s dismissal of the civil claims. Yet, the echoes of the accusations and the ongoing legal proceedings ensure that this chapter in his life is far from over. Prescott and his legal team remain steadfast, buoyed by their confidence in his innocence and determined to see justice served.