Former NBA star Dwight Howard has come forward to firmly deny the allegations of sexual assault and battery filed against him earlier this year. In court documents obtained by ESPN, Howard stated that he engaged in consensual sexual activity with Stephen Harper during an encounter at Howard’s Georgia residence in July 2021. He explicitly denied causing any harm to Harper, dismissing the claims made in the original complaint. Harper’s lawyers initially stated that he and Howard began corresponding over direct messages on Instagram in May 2021, with Harper initiating the conversation. Harper accuses Howard of sexually assaulting him during their meeting in July 2021.
Howard’s defense team has vociferously denied the allegations and has asked the court to dismiss the civil lawsuit filed against him. Harper’s attorney, Olga Izmaylova, responded to Howard’s claims, saying that Harper did not give his consent and that the issue of consent was expected to be raised by Howard. Furthermore, Harper’s complaint included additional accusations of intentional infliction of emotional distress and false imprisonment. However, Howard’s legal team vehemently denied these allegations as well. They firmly believe that the encounter was consensual and that Harper’s claims were motivated by the desire for financial gain.
Justin Bailey, one of Howard’s attorneys, expressed his client’s desire to bring the truth to light in a court of law. He claims that the private consensual encounter was twisted into a public scandal for profit. Despite being an easy target due to his celebrity status, Howard has chosen to trust in the justice system and intends to let the court filings speak for themselves. Howard’s defense team asserts that Harper was blocked on social media and then made false allegations against him after his initial demand for payment was rejected. Bailey posits that this suggests a motive for financial gain rather than seeking justice for any alleged wrongdoing on Howard’s part.
Evidence and Timing
Harper’s complaint includes screenshots of alleged Instagram exchanges between him and Howard from 2021, as well as an Uber receipt documenting his trip to Howard’s residence on the night of the encounter. Interestingly, Harper only went to the police a year later, as indicated in a July 2022 incident report from the Gwinnett County Police Department retrieved by ESPN. Notably, no charges were filed at the time of the incident. Howard’s legal counsel argues that Harper’s decision to file the lawsuit after being blocked on social media and facing rejection for his initial demand for payment raises doubts about the credibility of the allegations.
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for filing this type of civil lawsuit is two years from the date of the incident. Harper’s attorney, Olga Izmaylova, explained that there was independent investigation to be conducted and private factors for Harper to consider before they felt ready to proceed with the lawsuit. It is essential to thoroughly examine the evidence and evaluate any potential legal consequences before moving forward with a case of this nature.
It is worth noting that Dwight Howard, now 37 years old, had an illustrious NBA career. He last played in the league during the 2021-22 season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Howard is an eight-time All-Star and a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. While these accolades do not directly relate to the sexual assault allegations, they provide context regarding his basketball career and public image.
Dwight Howard has firmly denied the sexual assault and battery allegations brought against him and requested the dismissal of the civil lawsuit entirely. With different accounts of the encounter and disputes over consent, the court will ultimately determine the outcome of this case. As the legal proceedings unfold, it is crucial to ensure a fair and impartial assessment of the facts before passing judgment on either party involved.
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