Months after the Dallas Police Department decided not to press charges, a Collin County judge has now exonerated Dak Prescott from all civil claims related to the 2017 sexual assault allegations that loomed over the Dallas Cowboys quarterback. The closure to this chapter came when Judge Angela Tucker dismissed the claims against Prescott in June, citing insufficient evidence.
Timeline of Allegations
The accusations first surfaced in 2017, when the accuser alleged Prescott committed sexual assault. In a turn that baffled many, the accuser initially demanded $100 million to settle the matter privately rather than involving law enforcement. It wasn't until this year, in March, that the accuser formally filed a complaint with the Dallas Police Department.
With Prescott vehemently denying any wrongdoing, the case has been marked by legal maneuvering on both sides. While Prescott pursued justice both civilly and criminally, his accuser shifted her legal efforts from Dallas County to Collin County, only to be met with continuous setbacks.
Legal Battles Ensue
April saw the accuser’s attorney withdrawing a lawsuit in Dallas County, only to file a similar one in Collin County. Prescott, not taking these attacks lightly, responded by filing a civil lawsuit against the accuser, alleging extortion and seeking over $1 million in damages.
Prescott's legal representative, Levi G. McCathern, pointed out the troubling sequence of events, calling out the accuser’s tactics. "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 stated.
Moment of Vindication
When Judge Tucker dismissed the accuser’s claims in June, it was a moment of relief for Prescott. Yet the cloud over this case has not entirely dissipated. A hearing is scheduled for September to examine whether any legal actions against the accuser are warranted. "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 asserted.
Prescott's Stance
Throughout this ordeal, Prescott has maintained his innocence. "I know the truth, I'm confident in what we filed, very confident in what we filed," the quarterback affirmed, standing resolutely by his legal actions. Prescott and his attorney have rejected the notion that any of these allegations have any merit, emphasizing that the core issue is one of extortion rather than misconduct.
Prescott’s personal life has also been in focus. Recently becoming a father to a baby girl, he has expressed deep empathy for survivors of sexual assault. "Mr. Prescott -- a new father to a baby girl -- has great empathy for survivors of sexual assault," McCathern remarked, highlighting the quarterback’s sensitivity to the gravity of such issues.
Impact on the Sports Community
Cases like this have broad implications, not just for those involved, but for the entire spectrum of sexual assault survivors. McCathern did not hold back his criticism, suggesting that such unfounded allegations damage the genuine struggle many survivors face. "These ploys distract from the trauma of legitimate sexual assault survivors and undermine the progress that our society has made in supporting them," he commented.
For Prescott, who is heading into the final season of a four-year, $160 million contract in 2024, this chapter marks a distracting and challenging phase of his career. Yet his focus remains unshaken, bolstered by a legal vindication that cleared a significant shadow cast over his professional and personal life. "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," McCathern concluded.
As the legal dust continues to settle, Dak Prescott’s stance remains firm, providing an example of resilience amid controversy in the high-profile world of professional sports.