The sexual assault lawsuit against NBA veteran Dwight Howard has been officially dismissed, marking the end of a contentious legal battle that first emerged in the summer of 2023.
Lawsuit Timeline and Allegations
Stephen Harper initiated the lawsuit in July 2023, alleging that he had been sexually assaulted by Howard at the latter's residence. Harper claimed that he and Howard had exchanged messages on Instagram, which eventually led to a consensual agreement to meet for a sexual encounter. However, Harper alleged that upon arrival, he was forced into unwanted sexual activities by both Howard and another individual identified as "Kitty."
Harper provided several pieces of evidence to support his claims, including screenshots of his Instagram conversations with Howard and an Uber receipt confirming his travel to Howard's residence. Despite these claims, Harper never gave a formal interview to Gwinnett County police, who had been notified about the incident in 2022.
The police eventually suspended the case and chose not to pursue further criminal charges against Howard. In December 2023, Howard's legal team filed a motion to dismiss the case. However, it wouldn't be until February 2024 that a judge decided not to dismiss the lawsuit, allowing the legal proceedings to unfold further.
Resolution and Dismissal
In a significant turn of events, Harper decided to drop all claims against Howard with prejudice. This decision effectively ended the lawsuit, bringing closure to a case that had drawn considerable media attention and public scrutiny.
Addressing the allegations directly, Howard took to Instagram Live in October 2023 to deny 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 expressed.
Career Recap
Dwight Howard, now 38 years old, has had an illustrious NBA career since being 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 cemented his legacy by winning 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, currently playing for the Taiwan Mustangs.
This legal chapter, now closed, allows Howard to refocus on his professional endeavors. For fans, it's a reminder of the turbulence that can accompany public figures, even as they strive to maintain their personal and professional lives. As Howard continues his career, eyes will be on his performances and any further developments in his life off the court.