In a significant turn of events, the sexual assault lawsuit brought against NBA veteran Dwight Howard has been officially dismissed. The lawsuit, originally filed by Stephen Harper in July 2023, has come to an abrupt conclusion with Harper dropping all claims against Howard with prejudice. This development marks a notable closure to a high-profile case that has garnered significant media attention over the past year.
Allegations and Legal Proceedings
Stephen Harper's allegations date back to 2022, when he reported an incident to the Gwinnett County police. Harper claimed that he had exchanged messages with Howard via Instagram, leading to an agreement to meet for a sexual encounter at Howard's residence. According to Harper, another individual identified as "Kitty" was also present, and both Howard and "Kitty" allegedly forced him into unwanted sexual activity.
Supporting his claims, Harper provided screenshots of his Instagram conversations with Howard and an Uber receipt confirming his travel to Howard’s residence. Despite these pieces of evidence, Harper never gave a formal interview to the police, and the case was eventually suspended by law enforcement. The police decided not to pursue further criminal charges against Howard.
Legal Maneuvering
In December 2023, Howard's legal team filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. However, in February 2024, a judge declined to dismiss the case, allowing it to move forward. This decision set the stage for ongoing legal battles, but the case took an unexpected turn when Harper chose to drop all claims with prejudice. The dismissal with prejudice means that Harper cannot refile the suit, effectively bringing the case to an end.
Howard’s Response
Throughout the legal proceedings, Dwight Howard has consistently denied the allegations. In an Instagram Live broadcast in October 2023, he addressed the accusations directly, saying, "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 Highlights
Dwight Howard, now 38 years old, has had a storied career in the NBA. He was selected as the number one overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. Over the years, 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, and he is currently playing for the Taiwan Mustangs.
As the legal drama surrounding Howard comes to a close, questions linger about the impact such allegations can have on an athlete's career and public image. For now, Howard seems focused on continuing his basketball career overseas, leaving this chapter behind him.