Dwight Howard's Sexual Assault Lawsuit Dismissed
The sexual assault lawsuit filed against NBA veteran Dwight Howard has officially been dismissed. The legal battle, which began in July 2023, saw Stephen Harper as the plaintiff. Harper has now dropped all claims against Howard with prejudice, effectively ending the case.
Harper first reported the alleged incident to Gwinnett County police in 2022. According to Harper, he and Howard had exchanged messages via Instagram, eventually agreeing to meet for a sexual encounter at Howard's residence. Harper further asserted that another individual, identified as "Kitty," was present during the incident. He claimed that both Howard and "Kitty" forced him into unwanted sexual activity.
Supporting his allegations, Harper provided screenshots of his Instagram conversations with Howard, along with an Uber receipt confirming his travel to Howard’s residence. Despite these pieces of evidence, Harper never gave a formal interview to the police, leading to the suspension of the case and the police deciding not to pursue further criminal charges against Howard.
In December 2023, Howard's legal representation filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. However, by February 2024, a judge declined to dismiss the case. With the recent development, it seems the long-standing dispute has come to a close, albeit quietly.
Howard has been vocally dismissive of the allegations. In an Instagram Live broadcast in October 2023, Howard commented, "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, who is 38 years old, has had an illustrious career in the NBA. Selected as the number one overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, Howard has earned eight All-Star selections over his career. He also 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, he is continuing his basketball journey with the Taiwan Mustangs.
While Howard’s career moves forward on the court, the dismissal of this lawsuit marks the end of a troubling chapter off it. The case's resolution brings closure, although it leaves many questions unanswered. In the world of sports, where players' actions are scrutinized both on and off the field, this incident serves as another complex layer in Howard’s storied career.