Dallas police confirmed on Thursday that they are investigating a reported sexual assault from 2017 involving Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
According to reports, a woman came forward on Wednesday with a complaint alleging that Prescott assaulted her in the back of an SUV seven years ago.
This investigation comes in the wake of Prescott filing a lawsuit in Collin County, Texas, claiming that he is being extorted for $100 million by the woman and her legal representatives.
Additionally, authorities in Prosper, Texas, where Prescott resides, are conducting a separate investigation into his extortion allegations.
Prescott’s attorney, Levi McCathern, raised doubts about the timing of the woman’s report, questioning why she waited seven years to come forward and why she did so after the extortion allegations surfaced.
“Clearly they think that this will somehow mitigate their criminal responsibility for attempting this illegal shakedown,” McCathern told. “It won’t, and it is a true disservice to the real survivors of sexual abuse.
“We look forward to working with all law enforcement in reaching a just conclusion to this case.”
Prescott’s lawsuit states his intent to seek monetary relief exceeding $1 million, with a commitment to donate any awarded funds to the Joyful Heart Foundation or a similar organization focused on supporting survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.
The 11-page legal document outlines several allegations, including defamation, slander, defamation per se, business disparagement, tortious interference with current or prospective business relations, civil conspiracy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
According to the lawsuit, in January, Prescott received a letter from attorneys Bethel and Yoel Zehaie, representing the woman who accused him of sexual assault.
The letter stated:
“Despite the tragic events, she is willing to forego pursuing criminal charges, along with disclosing this information to the public, in exchange for compensating her for the mental anguish she has suffered. (The alleged victim’s) damages are valued at the sum of $100,000,000.00.”
In a statement delivered Monday after the suit, McCathern said:
“Mr. Prescott — a new father to a baby girl — has great empathy for survivors of sexual assault. He fervently believes that all perpetrators of such crimes should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
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.”
Zehaie alleged in a statement Monday that Prescott had acknowledged having been with the woman the night of her alleged assault in 2017.
“We stand by the truth,” the statement read, in part. “Dak and his lawyers are trying to be bullies and play hardball and victim blame. We are not afraid of the truth.
“Dak needs to be held accountable for his behavior. We are not afraid of him or his legal team.”
When questioned about the allegations against Prescott on Thursday, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones asserted that the case would not affect contract negotiations with the quarterback.
Jones stated,
“We’ve visited with Dak about that (the allegations), and it’s certainly a legal matter so it’s something we can’t comment on.”