The sexual assault lawsuit against NBA veteran Dwight Howard has been officially dismissed. The lawsuit, brought by Stephen Harper in July 2023, has now been dropped with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled.
Background of the Case
The controversy began in 2022 when Harper reported an incident to the Gwinnett County police, claiming that Howard and another individual, identified only as "Kitty," forced him into unwanted sexual activity during a meeting at Howard's residence. This meeting was allegedly arranged through Instagram messages exchanged between Harper and Howard. Harper supported his claims with screenshots of these Instagram conversations and an Uber receipt confirming his travel to Howard’s residence.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Harper never gave a formal interview to the police. As a result, the case was suspended, and the police decided not to pursue further criminal charges against Howard.
Legal Proceedings
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, keeping the legal proceedings alive for a few more months. Finally, Harper chose to drop all claims against Howard, bringing an end to the legal battle.
Throughout this period, Howard has publicly denied the allegations. In an Instagram Live broadcast in October 2023, Howard strongly refuted the claims, 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 Career and Recent Activities
Dwight Howard, 38, has enjoyed a celebrated career in the NBA. Selected as the number one overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, Howard went on to earn eight All-Star selections. His impressive resume includes winning an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 during his second stint with the team. Howard's most recent NBA appearance was in 2022, also with the Lakers.
Currently, Howard is playing for the Taiwan Mustangs, adding an international chapter to his extensive career in professional basketball. Despite this off-the-court controversy, Howard continues to be a significant figure in the sport.
The dismissal of Harper's lawsuit marks the end of a challenging period for Dwight Howard, who can now fully concentrate on his professional basketball career. The case's resolution underscores the complexity and serious nature of legal proceedings, especially those involving high-profile athletes.