Former NBA Star Dwight Howard Denies Sexual Assault Accusations, Calls Encounter Consensual

Civil lawsuit alleges assault, battery, and false imprisonment; Howard's attorneys suggest accusations were made for profit after a request for payment was rejected.

The former NBA star, Dwight Howard, has denied allegations of sexual assault lodged against him by Stephen Harper, stating the 2021 incident was consensual.
Harper's suit claims Howard and another person assaulted him and imprisoned him in Howard's bedroom at his Georgia home, and later subjected him to emotional distress.
The suit is supported by screenshots of alleged Instagram exchanges between Harper and Howard, besides an Uber receipt showing Harper's trip to Howard's residence.
Although the police were informed a year later, they did not file charges against Howard, with Harper's lawyer suggesting that Howard's claim of consent was expected.
Howard's lawyer has contended that the allegations surfaced after Harper was blocked on social media by Howard and his demand for payment was refused.