A civil sexual assault and assault case against former NBA star Dwight Howard has been dismissed after the plaintiff rejected earlier allegations.
According to ESPN, the Gwinnett County District Court in Georgia dismissed the case on Monday, August 19. The case was originally filed in 2023 by Stephen Harper.
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During Monday’s court hearing, Harper conditionally dismissed all claims he made against Howard, meaning he cannot file a new lawsuit based on those claims.
Harper accused Howard of sexual assault during a July 21 visit to Howard’s residence in Georgia. In her lawsuit filed in 2023, she accused Howard of “intentionally inflicting emotional distress” and deprivation of liberty.
Howard then argued in a motion in December that the allegations against him were without merit and asked the court to immediately rule in his favor and dismiss the lawsuit without a hearing. A judge denied that request in February.
Justin Bailey, one of Howard’s attorneys, told ESPN that no money was paid to Harper in exchange for withdrawing the lawsuit against Howard.
Harper’s attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Howard, 38, most recently played in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2021-22 season. He is an eight-time All-Star and three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
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