The sexual assault lawsuit against NBA veteran Dwight Howard has come to a definitive end. The case, initially filed by Stephen Harper in July 2023, has been dismissed as Harper has dropped all claims against Howard with prejudice.
The Allegations
Harper's accusations sent shockwaves through the NBA community. In his lawsuit, Harper alleged that he and Howard had exchanged messages via Instagram, leading to an agreement to meet for a sexual encounter at Howard's residence. Harper further claimed that another individual, identified only as "Kitty," was present and that both Howard and "Kitty" forced him into unwanted sexual activity.
As evidence, Harper provided screenshots of his Instagram conversations with Howard, as well as an Uber receipt confirming his travel to Howard’s residence. Despite these pieces of evidence, Harper never gave a formal interview to the police, which perhaps complicated the proceedings.
Legal Proceedings
Harper initially reported the incident to Gwinnett County police in 2022. However, the police suspended the case, opting not to pursue further criminal charges against Howard. This decision left the civil suit as the primary avenue for Harper and his allegations. By December 2023, Howard's legal team filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Although a judge declined to dismiss the case in February 2024, the recent developments brought the legal battle to an abrupt end.
Regarding the accusations, Howard addressed the situation during an Instagram Live broadcast in October 2023, 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.”
Career Overview
Dwight Howard, now 38 years old, has had a storied career in the NBA. Selected as the number one overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, Howard quickly made his mark in the league. Over the years, he earned eight All-Star selections and secured an NBA title in 2020 during his second stint with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Howard's most recent NBA appearance was in 2022 with the Lakers. Since then, he has continued his professional basketball career overseas, playing for the Taiwan Mustangs.
With the lawsuit dismissed, Howard can now turn his full attention back to his basketball career and future endeavors. Despite the lawsuit, his achievements and contributions to the sport remain significant, and he continues to be a prominent figure in the basketball community.