Prescott Cleared of Civil Claims in Sexual Assault Case
Months after the Dallas Police Department decided not to press charges, Collin County Judge Angela Tucker has cleared Prescott of all civil claims related to the allegations. The allegations, which dated back to 2017, saw Prescott accused of sexual assault and thrust into a protracted legal battle that alternated between criminal and civil courts.
The road leading to Prescott's exoneration was rocky and fraught with serious charges. The accuser initially demanded a staggering $100 million to not take her allegations to the police. When Prescott rebuffed this demand, the accuser followed through, filing a report with the Dallas Police Department this March.
Prescott Responds
In retaliation, Prescott filed both a civil lawsuit and a criminal report against his accuser, claiming extortion. Unfazed, the accuser shifted her legal strategies between counties before finding the Dallas venue nonviable. Her attorney dropped the lawsuit in Dallas County only to revive it in Collin County in April.
Judge Tucker’s June decision to dismiss the accuser's claims stands as a crucial turning point for Prescott. Levi G. McCathern, Prescott’s attorney, emphasized the grounds for dismissal, "As we knew they would, they found nothing in their extensive exploration of the facts that would support a criminal prosecution." Furthermore, McCathern underscored the malign nature of the accusations, "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."
Insufficient Evidence
The Dallas Police Department, after a thorough investigation, also concluded that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the claims against Prescott. This decision marked an essential victory for the quarterback both legally and reputationally.
Filing for Extortion
Prescott has not merely played a defensive game in courtrooms. He filed a civil lawsuit seeking over $1 million, arguing that the allegations were part of an extortion scheme. Prescott’s legal strategy was backed by a January letter from the accuser’s attorney, which implied that the pursuit of criminal charges would be shelved for a $100 million settlement.
The ongoing battle between Prescott's lawsuit and the accuser’s extortion suit keeps both parties engaged in a legal standoff as they trade allegations in Collin County civil court. A hearing is scheduled for September to determine whether further legal action against the accuser will be necessary.
Prescott Enters Final Contract Year
Adding another layer of complexity to this legal drama, Prescott is set to enter the final season of his four-year, $160 million contract in 2024. The window of his professional career intersects with his legal endeavors, making the upcoming NFL season pivotal on multiple fronts.
The Impact of Lies
Reflecting on the broader implications of the case, McCathern commented, "These ploys distract from the trauma of legitimate sexual assault survivors and undermine the progress that our society has made in supporting them." Prescott, newly a father to a baby girl, echoed this sentiment. "I know the truth, I'm confident in what we filed, very confident in what we filed," he asserted, standing firm against the tide of allegations. His lawyer further added, "Mr. Prescott has great empathy for survivors of sexual assault. 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."
What Lies Ahead
The accuser’s motion for a "non-suit without prejudice" in June leaves the legal door ajar for a potential revival of her case in Dallas County. As both sides gear up for future legal battles, Prescott's lawyer made their stance unmistakably clear, "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."
The coming months are bound to be momentous, not just for Prescott's career on the field, but for his ongoing efforts to clear his name and hold his accuser accountable. As legal wheels churn and NFL seasons change, Prescott remains steadfast, clinging to both his innocence and his professional aspirations in equal measure.