Dwight Howard Said He Had Consensual Sex With Man Who is Suing Him for Sexual Assault & Battery

Dwight Howard. Photo/Instagram @dwighthoward

Dwight Howard recently responded to a sexual assault and battery lawsuit filed against him by a male acquaintance in July. According to ESPN, "Howard said Monday that he engaged in "consensual sexual activity" with a man named Stephen Harper during a July 2021 encounter. However, according to the filing, Howard denied causing injury to Harper. Harper alleged that after he and Howard met online, the former NBA star forced him into a sexual encounter at the former NBA star's Georgia home." ESPN also said, "Harper's complaint also accused Howard of "intentional infliction of emotional distress" and false imprisonment."

The documents revealed that Harper initiated communication with Dwight via social media messaging in May 2021. In the original complaint filed, Harper's lawyers said he and Howard began corresponding over direct messages on Instagram in May 2021, with Harper initiating the exchange. Harper accused Howard of sexually assaulting him at Howard's home during the subsequent July 2021 encounter. Dwight's attorney contends that the suit is about financial gain; his attorney, Justin Bailey, told ESPN, "What was a private consensual encounter was made public for profit and Mr. Howard looks forward to bringing the truth to light in a court of law." "The allegations against Mr. Howard are contested. Mr. Howard intends to present the truth. The truth is Mr. Howard blocked Mr. Harper on social media and then was confronted with two options -- pay to protect his reputation or have a fabricated story made public. Despite being an easy target due to the subject matter and his status as a celebrity, Mr. Howard chose to trust in the justice system and will rely on all future court filings to speak for themselves."

The former basketball star's accuser reportedly went to the police a year after the sexual encounter. Howard's legal team is looking to have the suit dismissed.

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