ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 14: NBA player Dwight Howard looks on prior to the game between Bored Ape FC and the Knights of Degan during Fan Controlled Football Season v2.0 - Week Five on May 14, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Fan Controlled Football/Getty Images)
Dwight Howard has been making headlines for days since news broke regarding his involvement in a sexual assault case. While he has yet to publicly address the suit, Howard and his legal team say the allegations have no merit in an exclusive statement to The Shade Room.
Stephen Harper filed a lawsuit against Dwight Howard in July 2023, accusing the former NBA baller of sexual assault and battery, false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress. According to the legal filing, Harper says he met Howard on Instagram and they exchanged a series of messages before agreeing to meet at Howard’s Atlanta home on July 19, 2021.
Before arriving at Howard’s home, Harper alleges Howard texted him to ask if another person could join them for a “sexual encounter,” to which Harper replied that he was not interested. Upon arrival, Harper claims they were joined by another man–who identified himself as “Kitty”– and was forced to participate in sexual activity by both Howard and Kitty.
The lawsuit detailed the alleged assault as follows:
Mr. Harper was trapped in Defendant’s bedroom and believed that he would suffer imminent bodily harm if he resisted Defendant’s sexual advances. Mr. Harper felt extremely violated and humiliated, and was in complete shock.”
Harper also presented a series of messages he allegedly shared with Dwight Howard about their planned sexual encounter. According to AP News, Dwight responded to the allegations saying that the three men agreed to “engage in consensual sexual activity.”
In an exclusive statement to The Shade Room, Dwight Howard and his legal team deny that he has ever sexually assaulted anyone.
This is a civil case that was made public for profit. In this case, the accuser is solely suing Dwight Howard and has refrained from suing the other party in which he claims to be involved. It is important to know that these matters were NEVER about sexual assault. This was merely about money and greed. Such individuals, have made continuous attempts to elicit payment from Dwight. This has resulted in intimidation of not only Dwight, his family and friends have also been targeted as well.”
The statement goes on to say that Dwight’s legal team intends to take aggressive action against anyone who is going “after his name with false claims,” and sends a message of empathy to anyone involved in “any real cases of sexual assault.”
“The accuser took to social media, only after being ignored by Howard.
Over the duration of several years the accuser has set out to hire attorneys whom either declined the case or dropped the case after payment from Dwight was denied.
Dwight hopes that people spend as much time covering his innocence, his numerous ventures to improve the lives of people through his global initiatives, his efforts to improve the quality of life of all people, despite race, creed, culture, sex, sexual orientation, and others.
Through efforts like his 750 acre farm, his community outreach, and his 18yr track record of global philanthropy, Dwight looks forward to fans, viewers and spectators alike to focus their time and energy on what matters, which are the positive endeavors that Dwight is actively working on for community, with negativity as the least important focus.
In the past, people have tried to take advantage of Dwight, by attempting to use blackmail for money by fabricating stories and taking advantage of his kind nature.
By taking immediate action, Dwight’s legal team is aggressively pursuing anyone who is online or otherwise attempting to go after his name with false claims. Dwight strongly empathizes with any real cases of sexual assault and believes that fabricated stories as such make it difficult for the real victims of true crimes to come forth.
Assault has never been an element in Dwight’s character and he has never sexually assaulted ANYONE. The insensitivity of the individuals making such claims to damage his reputation is unfortunate. However, Howard plans to continue to live his life with grace and not let such false claims ruin his joy + spirit. Best + Blessings, Dwight Howard + Team”
As of now, it is being reported that no criminal charges have yet to be filed against Dwight Howard.
