The sexual assault lawsuit against NBA veteran Dwight Howard has come to a surprising conclusion, as the case has been officially dismissed. The lawsuit was initially brought forth by Stephen Harper in July 2023, only for Harper to drop all claims against Howard with prejudice, effectively ending the legal battle.
The Allegations and Lawsuit
The allegations stem from an incident that Harper reported to Gwinnett County police in 2022. According to Harper, he and Howard had exchanged messages on Instagram, arranging to meet for a sexual encounter at Howard's residence. Harper further claimed that upon arrival, another individual, identified as "Kitty," was also present. Both Howard and "Kitty" allegedly forced Harper into unwanted sexual activity. To support his claims, Harper provided screenshots of his Instagram conversations with Howard and an Uber receipt confirming his travel to Howard's residence.
Police Investigation and Lawsuit Proceedings
Despite these allegations, Harper never gave a formal interview to the police, contributing to the suspension of the case. Ultimately, the police decided not to pursue further criminal charges against Howard.
In the civil realm, December 2023 saw Howard's lawyers file a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Yet, in February 2024, a judge declined to dismiss the case. This back-and-forth legal wrangling finally reached a conclusion when Harper chose to drop the lawsuit entirely.
Howard's Response and Career Highlights
Howard, now 38 years old, has openly denied the allegations. In an October 2023 Instagram Live broadcast, he strongly addressed the accusations, stating, "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 illustrious NBA career includes being the number one overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. He earned eight All-Star selections and won 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. Currently, Howard is continuing his basketball journey with the Taiwan Mustangs.
The dismissal of this lawsuit closes a turbulent chapter for the NBA veteran, allowing him to focus entirely on his professional career overseas. As the dust settles, many in the sports world will watch how Howard navigates the rest of his career and personal challenges.