Dwight Howard denies sexual assault charges by man he met via Instagram, claims all activity was consensual: Reports
A man named Stephen Harper accused Dwight Howard of assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and false imprisonment in 2021. Howard, per the lawsuit, allegedly performed sexual acts that Harper did not consent to. The former NBA star admitted communicating with Harper on Instagram before eventually meeting him. Harper provided text messages and an Uber receipt to prove he did hook up with Howard at the player's residence.
Harper reportedly visited Howard on July 19, 2021, per Radar Online. According to the three-time Defensive Player of the Year, the sexual acts that happened that day were all consensual.
Stephen Harper, though, argued that that was not the case. In his complaint, Harper wrote that “Superman” also brought a man dressed as a woman who wanted to be called “Kitty.” He didn’t want to join the sexual activity that Kitty and Dwight Howard were undertaking but was allegedly forced to by the former NBA player.
“Defendant stood up (towering over Mr. Harper), grabbed Mr. Harper by the thighs, forcibly removed Mr. Harper’s underwear, held Mr. Harper down, and performed nonconsensual oral sex on Mr. Harper," the lawsuit read. "Mr. Harper was in fear of imminent bodily harm when he was pinned down and forced to remain in place while Defendant continued to sexually assault him.”
Dwight Howard reportedly only stopped when he noticed that Harper had not enjoyed it.
Howard’s lawyer had this to say about the lawsuit:
“The three agreed to touch one another and to engage in consensual sexual activity.”
Sexual assault allegations against Dwight Howard were eventually dropped
Dwight Howard, via his lawyer, asked the court to drop the charges. He said in his response to the allegations that he never assaulted Harper or forced him to perform any non-consensual act.
On the Way Up with Angela Yee podcast, the former LA Lakers center gave an update on the case:
"There was a lawsuit but they threw the case out because it never happened. Why is it coming up now? Have you seen the stuff I've been posting?"
Howard also explained why he felt the lawsuit was feasted on by many:
"Why at this time? You read the article, right? Two years ago, right? 2021. Why would all of a sudden now some stuff like [an] article about my character what I supposedly allegedly did with this person, and battery and assault?
“When I see these things, I know it's an attack on my character and where I'm at in life,"
In 2019, Dwight Howard stated in an interview that he’s not gay. Two years later, he admitted to performing consensual sexual acts with two men. Even with the lawsuit dropped, questions about Howard’s sexuality have only gotten more people intrigued.
Also read: What happened with Dwight Howard and Masin Elije? Incident revisited amid Stephen Harper lawsuit