Police are investigating an allegation of sexual assault in 2017 against Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
A complaint was filed on Wednesday by a woman alleging the three-time Pro Bowl winner assaulted her in the back of an SUV.
Prescott has filed a suit in Collin County saying he is being extorted for $100 million by the complainant and her attorneys, which police in his hometown of Prosper, Texas are investigating separately.
“Clearly they think that this will somehow mitigate their criminal responsibility for attempting this illegal shakedown,” Prescott’s attorney, Levi McCathern, told ESPN.
“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.”
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The outlet reported that Prescott is seeking more than $1m in monetary relief, which he will donate to the Joyful Heart Foundation for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse or another “like-minded organisation.”
The 11-page lawsuit also alleges defamation and slander, defamation per se, business disparagement, tortious interference with current and/or prospective business relations, civil conspiracy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
According to the suit, a letter sent to Prescott in January by attorneys Bethel and Yoel Zehaie on behalf of the woman said: “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 $100m.”
A statement from McCathern after the suit on Monday 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 non-consensual, 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 on the same day that Prescott had acknowledged being with the woman on the night of the alleged assault.
“We stand by the truth,” part of the statement said. “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.”
The report said Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones had been asked about the case on Thursday and replied that it would not impact contract talks with Prescott.
“We’ve visited with Dak about [the allegations],” Jones said. “It’s certainly a legal matter, so it’s something we can’t comment on.”
