The sexual assault lawsuit against NBA veteran Dwight Howard has been officially dismissed, marking the end of a legal battle that began in mid-2023. The lawsuit, filed by Stephen Harper in July 2023, has been dropped with prejudice, indicating that Harper cannot refile the same claim in the future.
Case Background
The allegations date back to 2022, when Harper reported an incident to the Gwinnett County police. According to Harper, he and Howard had been communicating via Instagram, which eventually led to an agreement for a sexual encounter at Howard's residence. Harper claimed another individual, identified as "Kitty," was also present during the encounter and alleged that both Howard and "Kitty" forced him into unwanted sexual activity.
To support his claims, Harper provided screenshots of Instagram conversations between himself and Howard, as well as an Uber receipt confirming his travel to Howard’s residence. Despite these pieces of evidence, Harper did not give a formal interview to the police, and the case was subsequently suspended. The police ultimately 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. However, in February 2024, a judge declined to dismiss the case, suggesting the legal battle would continue. Despite this, Harper eventually chose to drop all claims against Howard with prejudice, bringing the case to a definitive close.
Howard’s Response
Throughout the course of these legal challenges, Howard has openly refuted the allegations. In an Instagram Live broadcast in October 2023, Howard addressed the accusations directly: "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
At 38 years old, Dwight Howard is a seasoned NBA player with a storied career. 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. Over the years, he earned eight All-Star selections and captured 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, he is playing for the Taiwan Mustangs, continuing his basketball career overseas. Despite the legal battles and public scrutiny, Howard remains a prominent figure in the basketball world.
The dismissal of the lawsuit allows Howard to focus entirely on his career and personal life without the looming distraction of ongoing legal issues. While the road has been rocky, Howard's ability to navigate these challenges speaks to his resilience both on and off the court.