The sexual assault lawsuit against NBA veteran Dwight Howard has reached a conclusion, as the court has officially dismissed the case. The suit, initially filed by Stephen Harper in July 2023, accused the 38-year-old NBA star of unwanted sexual activity. Harper subsequently dropped all claims against Howard with prejudice, marking an end to the legal battle.
The Allegations
According to Harper, the incident allegedly took place after he and Howard exchanged messages via Instagram and agreed to meet at Howard's residence for a sexual encounter. Harper claimed that another individual, identified as "Kitty," was also present during the meeting. He alleged that both Howard and "Kitty" forced him into unwanted sexual activity.
Harper provided screenshots of his Instagram conversations with Howard and an Uber receipt that confirmed his travel to Howard’s residence. Despite these submissions, Harper never gave a formal interview to the police, and the case was subsequently suspended by the authorities. The Gwinnett County police decided not to pursue further criminal charges against Howard.
Legal Proceedings
In December 2023, Howard's lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. However, the case persisted when a judge declined to dismiss it in February 2024. Despite this setback for Howard, Harper's decision to drop all claims has brought the legal dispute to an unexpected closure.
Amid the legal turmoil, Dwight Howard addressed the allegations publicly. In an Instagram Live broadcast in October 2023, he 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."
Dwight Howard's Career
Dwight Howard has had a storied career in the NBA, filled with numerous accolades. Selected as the number one overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, Howard quickly made a name for himself in the league. He went on to earn 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. As of now, Howard is continuing his basketball career with the Taiwan Mustangs.
Indeed, the dismissal of this lawsuit allows Howard to focus more intently on his professional and personal life. Harper's original reports did catch significant media attention, especially when considering the gravity of the allegations. Still, with no charges pressed and the lawsuit now dismissed, the narrative surrounding the case has come to an abrupt end.
For Dwight Howard, the resolution of this legal matter provides an opportunity to return to the sport he has dedicated his life to. While the story had the potential to overshadow his illustrious career, its dismissal may now allow him to shift focus back to his contributions on the court.