A civil lawsuit against former NBA star Dwight Howard alleging sexual assault and battery has been dismissed.
According to court documents first published online by RadarOnline.com, Stephen Harper – who describes himself in legal documents as a “gay man” – filed a lawsuit against the star.
Harper claimed that he reached out to Howard in 2021, through his “secondary Instagram account.” He claimed that Howard responded to his Instagram message by texting him the devil emoji, and the two men started texting regularly.
Things eventually became physical, but the man claims he was coerced into having a threesome with the athlete and another man named “Kitty.”
Harper said Howard told him he was “going to do whatever” and he was “going to like it.” He claimed he feared that Howard and Kitty would harm him if he resisted the sexual advances.
“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 suit 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.”
Howard claimed their interactions were consensual.
It was Harper who dismissed the claims and he cannot refile against Howard.
No money was exchanged for the dismissal.
