NBA Veteran Dwight Howard's Sexual Assault Lawsuit Dismissed
The sexual assault lawsuit against NBA veteran Dwight Howard has been officially dismissed. The lawsuit was initially brought forth by Stephen Harper in July 2023, but Harper has now dropped all claims against Howard with prejudice, bringing an end to the legal proceedings.
Details of the Allegations
Harper had reported the incident to Gwinnett County police in 2022, alleging unwanted sexual activity involving Howard and another individual identified as "Kitty." According to Harper, he and Howard had exchanged messages via Instagram, which led to an arrangement to meet at Howard's residence for a sexual encounter. Harper claimed that once at Howard's home, he was forced into unwanted sexual activities by both Howard and "Kitty."
In support of his claims, Harper provided screenshots of his Instagram conversations with Howard and an Uber receipt confirming his travel to Howard’s residence. Despite these submissions, Harper never gave a formal interview to the police, leading to the suspension of the case. Eventually, the police decided not to pursue further criminal charges against Howard.
Legal Proceedings and Outcome
In December 2023, Howard's lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. However, in February 2024, a judge declined to dismiss the case, allowing the legal battle to continue. Despite this, Harper has now dropped all claims with prejudice, ensuring that the case cannot be refiled in the future.
In a statement made during an Instagram Live broadcast in October 2023, Howard addressed the accusations: "Stop worrying about it. I ain't gotta deny it; I don't gotta talk about none of that crap. This s--- didn't even happen. You worried about the wrong stuff. That's why it's called an accusation. Allegedly. Come on, man."
Howard's NBA Career
Dwight Howard, currently 38 years old, was the number one overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, chosen by the Orlando Magic. Over the span of his career, Howard earned eight All-Star selections and secured an NBA title in 2020 during his second stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. His most recent NBA appearance was in 2022 with the Lakers.
Howard is now playing for the Taiwan Mustangs, continuing his illustrious career overseas. As the legal chapter closes, Howard will likely focus on his tenure with the Mustangs, putting the allegations and ensuing lawsuit behind him.