Jerry Jones, owner of the Cowboys, does stay busy. He was accused just a couple of weeks ago of assaulting an exotic dancer, Jana Weckerly. The lawyer for Jerry Jones said she missed the statute of limitations – the deadline by which all suits must be filed. She alleged that the Cowboys owner assaulted her in 2009. if so, then yes, she would have missed the two year statute of limitations by a country mile. But, I am sure, she realized that this sort of a lawsuit, against someone so prominent, does not truly have a time limit.
According the the recent report, she dismissed her lawsuit just before a hearing on the defendant’s motion to dismiss. The defendant, Jerry Jones, claims it was dismissed because of the time issue. But, one report said the hearing was canceled "per the mediator." A mediator is a person who mediates a lawsuit. This cryptic note suggests the lawsuit was settled. The plaintiff’s lawyer even claims in a public statement that the plaintiff was not paid any money by Mr. Jones. See San Antonio Express News report (account required).
Sure, sure. If he paid no money, why would a court, any court grant the motion to dismiss before the hearing? Indeed, how could a court grant the motion to dismiss before the hearing? In Texas state court, a judge could not grant a motion prior to the hearing – unless the plaintiff agreed to such a dismissal. And, the only reason a plaintiff would agree to a dismissal would be for a settlement.
Only employment cases routinely use confidentiality clauses in settlement agreements. And, now it appears, suits against prominent football team owners also include confidentiality clauses – with elaborate, prepared statements for the press.