In a significant turn of events within professional basketball, the sexual assault lawsuit against NBA veteran Dwight Howard has been officially dismissed. The lawsuit, initially brought forth by Stephen Harper in July 2023, has come to an abrupt halt as Harper has dropped all claims against Howard with prejudice.
A Detailed Timeline
The origins of the case trace back to 2022 when Harper reported the incident to Gwinnett County police. Harper’s allegations included claims that he and Howard had exchanged messages via Instagram, eventually agreeing to meet for a sexual encounter at Howard's residence. Harper also alleged that another individual, identified as "Kitty," was present during the encounter and that both Howard and "Kitty" forced him into unwanted sexual activity.
Supporting his claims, Harper provided screenshots of his Instagram conversations with Howard and an Uber receipt confirming his travel to Howard’s residence. Despite this evidence, Harper never gave a formal interview to the police, causing the case to be suspended by law enforcement. Ultimately, police decided not to pursue further criminal charges against Howard.
Legal Maneuverings
In December 2023, Howard's legal team took definitive action by filing a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. However, in February 2024, a judge declined to dismiss the case, allowing it to proceed for another brief period. The latest development came when Harper decided to drop all charges against Howard, thus concluding the legal battle.
Howard’s Response
Throughout the ordeal, Howard has maintained his innocence. In an Instagram Live broadcast in October 2023, Howard expressed his frustration, stating, "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 Highlights
Dwight Howard, now 38, has been a prominent figure in the NBA since being selected as the number one overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. Over the years, he earned eight All-Star selections, marking him as one of the league’s premier centers. His career zenith came in 2020 when he won an NBA title during his second stint with the Los Angeles Lakers.
His most recent NBA appearance was in 2022 with the Lakers. Currently, Howard plays for the Taiwan Mustangs, continuing his professional basketball career overseas.
The dismissal of the lawsuit undoubtedly provides Howard some respite as he looks to focus on his basketball commitments and maintain his standing within the world of sports.