Dallas police confirmed Thursday that they are investigating an alleged sexual assault in 2017 involving Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
The investigation is the result of a complaint filed Wednesday by a woman who alleges Prescott assaulted her in the back of a pickup truck seven years ago.
On Monday, Prescott filed a lawsuit in Collin County alleging that the woman and her attorneys are extorting him for $100 million. Separately, police in Prosper, Texas, where the quarterback lives, are now investigating Prescott's extortion complaint.
Prescott's attorney, Levi McCathern, questioned the timing of the woman's going to police seven years after the alleged assault took place and after the racketeering investigation began this week.
“They clearly think this will somehow mitigate their criminal liability for attempting this illegal extortion,” McCathern told ESPN. “It won't, and it's a real disservice to real survivors of sexual abuse.
“We look forward to working with all authorities to reach a fair conclusion in this case.”
According to Prescott's lawsuit, he is seeking more than $1 million in monetary aid and has pledged to donate part of the aid to the Joyful Heart Foundation, whose mission is to “heal, educate and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse” or other “like-minded organization.”
The 11-page lawsuit also alleges defamation and slander, defamation per se, business disparagement, tortious interference with current and/or future business relationships, civil conspiracy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
In January, Prescott received a letter from attorneys Bethel and Yoel Zehaie on behalf of the woman who accused Prescott of sexually assaulting her, according to the lawsuit.
The letter said: “Despite the tragic events, she is willing to forego pursuing criminal charges, as well as disclosing this information to the public, in exchange for compensating her for the mental anguish she has suffered. (The alleged victim's) damages They are valued in the sum of $100,000,000.00.”
In a statement Monday after the lawsuit, McCathern said: “Mr. Prescott, the new father of a baby girl, has great empathy for survivors of sexual assault. He strongly believes that all perpetrators of such crimes should be punished to the fullest extent. extreme”. the full scope of the law. To be clear, Mr. Prescott has never engaged in any non-consensual sexual conduct with anyone. Lies hurt. Especially malicious lies. We will not allow the defendant and his legal team to benefit from this attempted extortion. million from Mr. Prescott.”
Zehaie alleged in a statement Monday that Prescott had acknowledged being with the woman the night of her alleged assault in 2017.
“We stand for the truth,” the statement read in part. “Dak and his lawyers are trying to be bullies and play hardball and blame the victims. We're not afraid of the truth.
“Dak must be held accountable for his behavior. We are not afraid of him or his legal team.”
