The sexual assault lawsuit against NBA veteran Dwight Howard has come to an official conclusion with the case being dismissed. Brought forward by Stephen Harper in July 2023, the lawsuit initially claimed unwanted sexual interaction involving Howard and another individual. However, Harper recently dropped all claims with prejudice, signaling an end to this contentious legal battle.
The allegations had their roots in an incident that Harper reported to Gwinnett County police back in 2022. According to Harper, he and Howard had been exchanging messages via Instagram, leading to an agreement to meet for a sexual encounter at Howard's residence. Harper further alleged that during this meeting, another individual referred to as "Kitty" was present and that both Howard and "Kitty" forced him into unwanted sexual activities.
Supporting his allegations, Harper provided screenshots of the Instagram conversations with Howard and an Uber receipt confirming his travel to Howard’s residence. However, these pieces of evidence did not lead to a formal police interview with Harper, and the case was eventually suspended by the police after deciding not to pursue further criminal charges against Howard.
Legal Proceedings and Dismissal
The legal proceedings saw significant developments when Howard's lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit in December 2023. A judge reviewed the motion but declined to dismiss the case in February 2024. Despite this, Harper's decision to drop the claims with prejudice ultimately brought the lawsuit to an end.
Howard's Response
Throughout the ordeal, Howard maintained his innocence. In an Instagram Live broadcast in October 2023, Howard addressed the accusations by 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."
Howard's Career and Legacy
Dwight Howard, at 38 years old, has had a long and storied career in the NBA. Selected as the number one overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, Howard quickly established himself as a dominant force in the league. 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.
Howard's most recent appearance in the NBA was in 2022 with the Lakers. Following that season, he transitioned to playing for the Taiwan Mustangs, continuing to showcase his talent on an international stage.
With the lawsuit now behind him, Howard can focus solely on his basketball career and personal life. The conclusion of this legal battle allows the former NBA star to move forward, with the hope that his legacy on the court will remain the central narrative of his storied career.