A civil lawsuit filed in opposition to Dwight Howard that alleged sexual assault and battery was dismissed Monday in Gwinnett County, Ga., in line with a courtroom submitting obtained by The Athletic on Wednesday.
Stephen Harper, who filed the lawsuit in opposition to Howard in July 2023, dismissed all claims he asserted in opposition to the previous NBA participant with prejudice, which suggests Harper can’t refile a go well with on those self same claims in opposition to Howard in Gwinnett County Courtroom. ESPN first reported the information and particulars of the submitting.
Harper had alleged within the lawsuit that Howard sexually assaulted him at Howard’s house in Georgia on July 19, 2021. Within the criticism, Harper additionally accused Howard of “intentional infliction of emotional misery” and false imprisonment.
In a submitting in October, Howard denied the allegations and mentioned he engaged in “consensual sexual exercise” with Harper. In his response, Howard additionally mentioned he expressed curiosity in assembly up with Harper in Atlanta after the 2 corresponded by way of textual content and Instagram starting in Might 2021. Screenshots of the alleged exchanges have been included within the criticism.
In February, a Georgia decide denied a movement by Howard’s attorneys to dismiss the go well with. The decide additionally sealed an exhibit that Howard’s attorneys mentioned contained “embarrassing, sexually express textual content messages,” in line with a previous courtroom submitting.
Harper reported the incident to police in July 2022, per Gwinnett County Police Division information, figuring out Howard as his “ex-boyfriend.” No expenses have been filed. Police mentioned they repeatedly tried to interview Harper after he reported the incident till they despatched a letter final August notifying him the case could be suspended if he didn’t cooperate with the investigation, however by no means heard again.
Howard, 38, hasn’t performed within the NBA for the reason that 2021-22 season with the Los Angeles Lakers. The eight-time All-Star additionally performed for the Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards and Philadelphia 76ers throughout his 18-year NBA profession. He most not too long ago joined the Taiwan Mustangs of The Asian Match this 12 months.
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Decide denies Dwight Howard’s movement to dismiss lawsuit in opposition to him
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