In a significant turn of events, the sexual assault lawsuit filed against NBA veteran Dwight Howard has been officially dismissed. Stephen Harper, who initiated the lawsuit in July 2023, has now dropped all claims against Howard, doing so with prejudice, meaning the case is closed and cannot be refiled.
The allegations date back to an incident first reported by Harper to Gwinnett County police in 2022. Harper maintained that he and Howard had engaged in conversations via Instagram that led to an agreement to meet for a sexual encounter at Howard’s residence. Harper further alleged that an individual known as "Kitty" was also present and that both Howard and "Kitty" coerced him into unwanted sexual activity.
To support his claims, Harper provided screenshots of his Instagram conversations with Howard, along with an Uber receipt that verified his travel to Howard’s residence. Despite these pieces of evidence, the case was soon met with stagnation. Harper never provided a formal interview to the police, leading Gwinnett County police to suspend the case and ultimately decide against pursuing criminal charges against Howard.
Howard's legal team was proactive in handling the lawsuit. In December 2023, Howard’s lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the case. Though a judge initially declined to dismiss the case in February 2024, the matter has now come to a definitive close with Harper’s decision to withdraw his claims.
Howard, who is known for his stellar NBA career, did not shy away from addressing the accusation on social media. 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."
The 38-year-old center has had a distinguished career in the NBA since being selected as the number one overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. Howard boasts an impressive resume with eight All-Star selections and a coveted NBA title, which he secured in 2020 during his second stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. His most recent NBA appearance was in 2022 with the Lakers.
Currently, Howard is playing for the Taiwan Mustangs, continuing to add to his rich basketball legacy overseas. Despite the off-court allegations, Howard remains a prominent figure in the basketball world, albeit with his reputation momentarily clouded by these now-dismissed claims.
For many fans and followers of the sport, the conclusion of this lawsuit marks a moment of relief and refocus on Howard's contributions to basketball. The dismissal also underscores the complex and often tumultuous intersection of fame, personal conduct, and the heavy scrutiny public figures face.