Months after the Dallas Police Department opted not to pursue charges, a Collin County judge has effectively exonerated Dak Prescott from all civil claims tied to sexual assault allegations that have shadowed the athlete since 2017. The unyielding pursuit of innocence by the Dallas Cowboys quarterback has culminated in key legal victories, both in criminal and civil courts.
A Timeline of Allegations and Legal Maneuvering
The saga began in 2017 when Prescott was accused of sexual assault. The charges gained complexity when the accuser initially demanded $100 million to avoid notifying authorities. This request emerged again in January through a letter from the accuser's attorney.
Faced with these allegations, Prescott took an offensive approach, filing both a civil lawsuit and a criminal report against the accuser. The battle moved through various legal venues as the accuser’s attorney first dropped a Dallas County lawsuit in April, later filing a similar one in Collin County. In June, Judge Angela Tucker dismissed the accuser’s claims, marking a significant victory for Prescott.
Legal Decisions and Impact
Prescott’s legal team, led by Levi G. McCathern, adamantly defended his innocence. "As we knew they would, they found nothing in their extensive exploration of the facts that would support a criminal prosecution," McCathern stated after the Dallas Police concluded there was insufficient evidence to pursue the charges.
The judge's dismissal in Collin County mirrored the police department's findings, reinforcing Prescott’s stance. "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 added.
Prescott’s Response
Despite the gravity of the accusations, Prescott remained steadfast and composed throughout the ordeal. "I know the truth, I'm confident in what we filed, very confident in what we filed," Prescott said, displaying a firm belief in his innocence and the judicial process. His legal team highlighted that Prescott, now a new father, is particularly empathetic toward genuine survivors of sexual assault, condemning the false allegations as harmful distractions from legitimate cases of abuse.
The Accusations and Lawsuits Continue
The legal entanglements are far from over. McCathern announced that Prescott’s civil suit, seeking over $1 million for what they argue is extortion, will proceed in civil court in Collin County. Meanwhile, the accuser’s possibility of refiling the case in Dallas County, as suggested by her motion for a "non-suit without prejudice," keeps the legal battle alive.
"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," McCathern declared, indicating that Prescott’s legal woes are tethered to a broader struggle against alleged malicious prosecution.
Looking Ahead
As the legal dust settles, a hearing in September looms to determine the necessity of further legal action against the accuser. The stakes remain high for both parties as the intertwined lawsuits continue. McCathern remains resolute, stating, "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."
Prescott is set to enter the final season of his four-year, $160 million contract in 2024, now potentially unburdened by the shadow of criminal charges. This phase of his career, interwoven with personal resilience and legal vindication, underscores the complexities athletes face off the field—and the relentless pursuit of truth and justice that often accompanies it.