In a significant turn of events, the sexual assault lawsuit against NBA veteran Dwight Howard has been officially dismissed. The lawsuit, filed by Stephen Harper in July 2023, came to a conclusion as all claims were dropped with prejudice, meaning they cannot be refiled.
The Origins of the Allegation
The case stems from an incident Harper reported to the Gwinnett County police back in 2022. According to Harper, he and Howard began by exchanging messages on Instagram. These interactions eventually led to an agreement for a sexual encounter at Howard's residence. However, Harper's visit to Howard's home took an unexpected and distressing turn.
Harper alleged that upon arriving, another individual, identified only as "Kitty," was present. The allegations went further, claiming that both Howard and "Kitty" coerced him into unwanted sexual activities. In support of his claims, Harper provided screenshots of his Instagram conversations with the NBA player and an Uber receipt verifying his travel to Howard’s home.
Police Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Despite these serious accusations, there was a significant development—Harper never gave a formal interview to the police. Without a formal statement, the police suspended the investigation and decided not to pursue further criminal charges against Howard.
In December 2023, Howard's legal team responded by filing a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. However, the case saw another twist in February 2024, when a judge rejected this motion, allowing the lawsuit to proceed.
Resolution and Reactions
Despite the case moving forward in court, the ultimate resolution came when Harper chose to drop all claims against Howard with prejudice. This decision brings an end to the legal matter, ensuring it cannot be brought before the courts again.
Howard, now 38 years old, addressed the situation in October 2023 during an Instagram Live broadcast. He asserted his innocence with a candid and somewhat dismissive response: "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."
A Storied Basketball Career
The former NBA star's career has spanned nearly two decades. Dwight Howard was the number one overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. Over the years, he has achieved considerable success on the court, earning eight All-Star selections and securing an NBA title in 2020 during his second stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. Howard last appeared in the NBA in 2022, again donning the Lakers jersey.
Though his time in the NBA seems to have come to an end, Howard continues to play professionally. He is currently part of the Taiwan Mustangs, bringing his talents to an international stage.
With the lawsuit now behind him, Howard can focus on continuing his basketball career overseas. Whether this chapter affects his legacy remains to be seen, but for now, the legal battles have concluded.