In a significant turn of events, the sexual assault lawsuit filed against NBA veteran Dwight Howard has been officially dismissed. The case, brought forth by Stephen Harper in July 2023, has concluded with Harper dropping all claims against Howard with prejudice.
Background of Allegations
Stephen Harper reported an incident to the Gwinnett County police in 2022, asserting that he and Dwight Howard had exchanged messages via Instagram. According to Harper, the social media interaction led to an agreement to meet for a sexual encounter at Howard's residence. Harper further alleged that another individual, identified as "Kitty," was also present during the meeting and that both Howard and "Kitty" forced him into unwanted sexual activity.
As part of his claims, Harper provided screenshots of his Instagram conversations with Howard and an Uber receipt confirming his travel to Howard's residence. However, it is noteworthy that Harper never gave a formal interview to the police about the incident, which led to the suspension of the case by the authorities. Ultimately, 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, but a judge declined to do so in February 2024. Despite this setback for Howard, the case has since been dismissed after Harper decided to drop all claims with prejudice.
Dwight Howard, responding to the allegations during an Instagram Live broadcast in October 2023, said, "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 NBA Career
Dwight Howard, now 38 years old, has had a storied 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. Highlighting his achievements, he 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. Currently, Howard is continuing his professional basketball journey with the Taiwan Mustangs, showcasing his enduring passion for the sport.
As the legal chapter concerning these allegations closes, Howard's focus likely remains on his basketball career. The dismissal of the lawsuit provides a sense of closure, allowing him to move forward without the burden of ongoing legal proceedings.