Judge declines to dismiss lawsuit vs. ex-NBA star Dwight Howard

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Judge declines to dismiss lawsuit vs. ex-NBA star Dwight Howard​

A Georgia judge denied a motion by lawyers for former NBA star center Dwight Howard to immediately dismiss a lawsuit against him that alleges sexual assault and battery. The Gwinnett County judge made the ruling this week, according to a filing obtained by ESPN, while also ruling to seal an exhibit filed in December 2023 that contains what Howard's lawyers argued were embarrassing, sexually explicit text messages. The lawsuit was filed in July 2023 by Stephen Harper, who alleges that Howard sexually assaulted him during a July 2021 encounter at Howard's Georgia residence, along with "intentional infliction of emotional distress" and false imprisonment.

In a January 2024 response obtained by ESPN, Harper's lawyers asked the judge to deny the request for a summary judgment, writing that the case has "nothing to do with unrequited love." They asked the judge to see past Howard's efforts "to escape the consequences of his actions" and allow Harper to prove his claims to a jury. On Feb. 15, according to a filing obtained by ESPN, Howard's attorneys responded, writing that "this lawsuit is merely being used to gratify private spite and promote public scandal." Howard, 38, last played in the NBA in 2021-22 with the Los Angeles Lakers. He is an eight-time All-Star and a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

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Sexual assault lawsuit against Dwight Howard dropped​

A civil lawsuit against former NBA star Dwight Howard alleging sexual assault and battery has been dismissed, according to a court filing obtained by ESPN. The dismissal came Monday in Gwinnett County Court in Georgia and was filed by Stephen Harper, who initially filed the lawsuit against Howard in July 2023. In Monday's filing, Harper dismissed all the claims he had asserted against Howard with prejudice, meaning he cannot refile a lawsuit on those claims. Justin Bailey, one of Howard's attorneys, told ESPN that no money was paid to Harper in exchange for him dropping the suit against Howard. Harper's attorneys didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The lawsuit stemmed from a July 2021 encounter at Howard's Georgia residence, where Harper accused Howard of sexually assaulting him. Harper's July 2023 complaint also accused Howard of "intentional infliction of emotional distress" and false imprisonment. Howard denied those allegations and said in an October filing that he and Harper engaged in "consensual sexual activity." Howard, 38, last played in the NBA in 2021-22 with the Los Angeles Lakers. He is an eight-time All-Star and a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

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