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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott speaks during a news conference on December 10, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Foto/Sam Hodde)(Sam Hodde / ASSOCIATED PRESS)
By and Calvin Watkins
7:58 AM on Apr 17, 2024 CDT — Updated at 11:31 AM on Apr 17, 2024 CDT
Update:
Updated 11:28 a.m.: Revised to include a statement from Dak Prescott’s attorney.
The lawsuit accusing Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott of sexual assault was dismissed Friday at the plaintiff’s request.
The lawsuit was filed in a Dallas County court last month by a woman who said Prescott sexually assaulted her in the parking lot of Dallas strip club XTC Cabaret in February 2017.
The judge presiding over the case dismissed the “non-suit without prejudice,” meaning the woman voluntarily ended the case but could refile it later on.
The lawsuit will be refiled in Collin County, an attorney for the woman, Bethel Zehaie, told The Dallas Morning News in an emailed statement. She said it was so all the lawsuits can be heard together.
Days before the woman filed her initial suit in Dallas County, Prescott filed his own lawsuit against the woman and her attorneys in Collin County. That lawsuit is still pending.
Prescott, who lives in Prosper, has denied the claims.
His attorney, Levi G. McCathern, called the allegations “ridiculous,” “completely false” and “criminal,” in a written statement to The News.
“In Texas, it’s against the law to shake down someone for any amount of money — and this is just that — a shake down,” the statement said. “It’s also sad for the legitimate survivors of sexual assault when people use our system to try and enrich themselves at the expense of others.”
Related:What we know about Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott lawsuit, sexual assault allegation
The alleged 2017 incident first came to light when Prescott filed his suit March 11, saying the woman falsely accused him of sexual assault in a demand letter from her Arlington-based attorneys, Bethel and Yoel Zehaie.
The filing included a partially redacted letter in which the woman sought $100 million in exchange for not disclosing or pursuing criminal charges in connection with a 2017 sexual encounter. The letter was sent to an email address associated with Prescott’s alma mater, Mississippi State, and later sent to his attorneys.
A day later the woman’s attorney, Yoel Zehaie, told KRLD-FM (105.3 The Fan) that Prescott “raped” his client and a civil lawsuit is “very imminent.” He said his client isn’t ruling out filing criminal charges.
The same week, Dallas police confirmed to The Dallas Morning News that the department was investigating claims of an alleged sexual assault involving Prescott and a woman from 2017.
Prosper police also previously confirmed to The News that its department was investigating claims that Prescott said he is being extorted.
Both criminal investigations are ongoing. Prescott’s attorneys said Wednesday that they have been fully cooperative with police.
“Dak has nothing to hide – he did nothing wrong,” a statement from his attorney said. “He has and will continue to fully cooperate with any investigation, knowing the truth is on his side. … We are confident the truth will prevail, and we are proud to stand with Dak.”
The criminal statute of limitations in Texas for sex crimes against adults varies, depending on the severity of the offense. State law set the criminal statute of limitations in Texas for sexual assault against adults at 10 years and civil statute of limitations at five years.
