Former NBA All-Star continues to contest a civil lawsuit accusing him of Dwight Howard’s sexual assault, asserting that the case lacks merit and should be dismissed by the Georgia court. In a recent filing obtained by ESPN, Howard’s legal team contends that the lawsuit amounts to a case of unreciprocated affection and alleges that Howard was confronted with monetary demands.
The latest submission by Howard’s attorneys focuses on text exchanges between the involved parties. It claims that some messages were erased, and others in the original complaint were altered. Howard’s representatives presented screenshots of previously unsubmitted texts.
The filing from Howard’s legal team explicitly states, “The entirety of the text conversations between Mr. Howard and Mr. Harper unequivocally demonstrates the frivolity of Mr. Harper’s claims. It indicates that Harper willingly participated in the events of July 19 and the early hours of July 20, 2021, and the physical contact was consensual.”
Furthermore, the submitted messages purportedly exhibit not just consent but also Harper initiating aspects of the intimate interaction. According to Howard’s attorneys, this documented consent negates the core element of intent, rendering the claims of Assault, Battery, False Imprisonment, and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress untenable.
The lawsuit was filed by Stephen Harper, who agreed to be publicly identified, alleging assault, battery, false imprisonment, and emotional distress against Howard stemming from a 2021 incident. Harper initially reported the alleged assault in Gwinnett County, Georgia, but did not provide a formal statement to the police, leading to the suspension of the case with no criminal charges against Dwight Howard’s sexual assault.
Harper’s lawsuit details that he connected with Howard on Instagram and agreed to meet at Howard’s residence for a consensual encounter. However, upon arrival, another individual, identified as “Kitty,” was present. Harper alleges that Howard and “Kitty” coerced him into participating in sexual activities against his will.
In response, Howard’s lawyer stated that all three men mutually consented to engage in sexual activity. Howard seeks a summary judgment without a full trial and demands court expenses and attorney fees from Harper.
Addressing the accusations, Howard’s lawyer stated, “The private consensual encounter was exploited for financial gain. Mr. Howard plans to refute the allegations in court. Despite the vulnerability due to the subject matter and his celebrity status, Mr. Howard has chosen to rely on the legal process for justice.”
In an Instagram Live session, Howard briefly commented on the matter, dismissing the allegations as untrue. He emphasized not dwelling on the accusations, reiterating their unsubstantiated nature.
Howard, a former eight-time NBA All-Star, most recently played in Taiwan. His NBA career spanned 18 seasons, including stints with multiple teams, notably contributing to the Lakers’ championship victory in 2019-20. His last NBA appearance was in 2022 during his third tenure with the Lakers.
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