Former NBA star Dwight Howard is denying allegations from a Georgia man who claims he sexually assaulted him.
The alleged victim, Stephen Harper, filed a civil lawsuit against the 37-year-old basketball player in July. In addition to the sexual assaults, he claims to have suffered beatings, injuries and being locked up.
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In a response filed in court by his attorney, Howard recounted his meeting with Harper at his suburban Atlanta home in 2021. He stated that their relationship was consensual.
In his lawsuit, the man claimed he met Howard on Instagram and they exchanged explicit text messages before planning a meeting at the former player’s home.
On the way to Howard’s house, he allegedly received a text message from Howard asking if another man or woman could attend their planned sexual encounter. Harper reportedly declined the request.
When they arrived, he and Howard were reportedly joined by a man dressed as a woman. The alleged victim claims she was then forced into sexual activity.
“Mr. Harper was trapped in the defendant’s bedroom and believed he would be subjected to imminent physical harm if he resisted the defendant’s sexual advances, the complaint states. Afterwards, Mr. Harper felt extremely violated, humiliated and completely stood in shock.”
Howard played 18 seasons in the NBA. He was selected to the All-Star Game eight times and won the league’s defensive MVP award three times.