The sexual assault lawsuit filed against NBA veteran Dwight Howard has been officially dismissed. The suit, which was initiated by Stephen Harper in July 2023, alleged that an unwanted sexual encounter took place at Howard's residence. However, Harper has now dropped all claims against Howard with prejudice, effectively bringing the legal battle to a close.
A Year-Long Saga
The allegations were initially reported to Gwinnett County police by Harper in 2022. He claimed that he and Howard had exchanged messages via Instagram and arranged to meet for a sexual encounter. According to Harper, another individual identified as "Kitty" was also present, and he alleged that both Howard and "Kitty" forced him into unwanted sexual activity.
To substantiate his claims, Harper provided screenshots of his Instagram conversations with Howard and an Uber receipt confirming his travel to Howard’s residence. Despite these pieces of evidence, Harper never gave a formal interview to the police, and the case was eventually suspended. The police decided not to pursue further criminal charges against Howard.
Legal Maneuvers and Public Statements
In December 2023, Howard's lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Despite this, a judge declined to dismiss the case in February 2024. The legal back-and-forth played out publicly, with Howard making statements about the allegations during an Instagram Live broadcast in October 2023. "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 stated.
Howard's Journey in the NBA
Dwight Howard, now 38 years old, has had a prolific 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 on the court. Over the years, he earned eight All-Star selections and secured 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. After leaving the NBA, Howard continued his professional basketball career and is currently playing for the Taiwan Mustangs.
With the lawsuit now dismissed, Howard can focus on his career in Taiwan without the looming distraction of the legal proceedings. While the dismissal brings some closure, it has also left several questions unanswered about the events that led to the allegations. For now, both Howard and Harper seem to be moving on from the incident that has cast a shadow over the past year.