NBA Veteran's Lawsuit Dismissed
The sexual assault lawsuit against NBA veteran Dwight Howard has officially been dismissed. The case, which was brought by Stephen Harper in July 2023, had gripped the sports world with its serious allegations, but it has now come to an official end with Harper dropping all claims against Howard with prejudice.
Harper first reported the incident to Gwinnett County police in 2022. According to his allegations, he and Howard had exchanged messages via Instagram, eventually agreeing to meet at Howard's residence for a sexual encounter. Harper claimed that upon his arrival, another individual identified as "Kitty" was also present, and that both Howard and "Kitty" forced him into unwanted sexual activity. Harper supported his allegations with screenshots of their Instagram conversations and an Uber receipt verifying his travel to Howard’s residence.
Despite the gravity of the accusations, Harper never gave a formal interview to the police. Consequently, the police suspended the case and decided not to pursue further criminal charges against Howard. This lack of formal police action undoubtedly influenced the course of the lawsuit.
In December 2023, Howard's legal team filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. However, in February 2024, a judge declined to grant this motion, keeping the case alive until Harper's recent decision to drop all claims.
Amid the legal turmoil, Howard, now 38 years old, has maintained a focus on his athletic career. Drafted as the number one overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, Howard has enjoyed a distinguished career. He earned eight All-Star selections and won an NBA championship in 2020 during his second tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers. Howard last appeared in the NBA in 2022 with the Lakers and is currently continuing his career with the Taiwan Mustangs.
Throughout this challenging period, Howard has publicly denied the allegations. During an Instagram Live broadcast in October 2023, he addressed the situation 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."
With the dismissal of the lawsuit, Howard can look to move past this episode and focus entirely on his professional endeavors. Regardless of the legal outcome, the case has undoubtedly affected his public image, reminding all of the complexities athletes face both on and off the court.