Sexual assault suit against former NBA player Dwight Howard dismissed, according to court records
According to court records from Gwinnett County, GA, the sexual assault lawsuit filed against Dwight Howard has been withdrawn. Which was filed in July 2023 by a man named Stephen Harperaccused Howard of sexual harassment and assault.
An attorney for Howard told ESPN that Harper was not paid to withdraw the suit. According to the filing, Harper dismissed all of his claims against Howard, and did so with prejudice, meaning he cannot file another lawsuit based on the same claims in the future.
Harper alleged in her complaint that she exchanged messages with Howard on Instagram and agreed to meet at Howard’s residence to have sex. Upon arrival, another person identified as “Kitty” forced Harper to participate in sexual activity. Harper provided screenshots of the alleged Instagram conversation as well as an Uber receipt for the night of the incident to Howard’s residence.
Harper first reported the alleged assault to Gwinnett County police in 2022 but never gave a formal interview, so police eventually suspended the case. Criminal charges have not been filed against Howard.
Howard’s lawyers accused Harper of trying to extort money from their client in a statement to ESPN in October 2023. In an Instagram Live broadcast that same month, Howard denied the allegations. “Stop worrying about it,” Howard said. “I don’t have to deny it, I don’t have to talk about that shit. That shit didn’t even happen. You’re worried about the wrong thing. That’s why it’s called an allegation. Allegedly. Come on, man.”
In December 2023, Howard’s lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the suit, arguing that it was “frivolous” and “nothing more than a classic case of unrequited love.” In February, a judge refused to dismiss the suit.
Howard, now 38, Recently played for Taiwan Mustangs Along with DeMarcus Cousins and Quinn Cook in the Asian tournament. His last NBA appearance was in 2022 with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Previously, Howard was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2004 NBA Draft. He is an eight-time All-Star and won an NBA title in 2020 during the second of his three stints with the Lakers.
