Still far from a return to the NBA, Dwight Howard is generating headlines in the United States and around the world for other reasons. He is facing a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a man who claims he was a victim of abuse by Howard in July 2021.
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With the accusations advancing against the player, he responds and asks for the case to be archived. For Dwight and his defense, there was no crime committed at any point. In a file obtained exclusively by ESPN, according to reporter Baxter Holmes, last Wednesday (25), Howard appeared in court to defend himself.
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He says the sexual activities were consensual and denies hurting the accuser. The two started talking via Instagram messages in May 2021, until they met in person, at Dwight Howard’s house, in July of the same year. And it is precisely during this meeting that the man, called Stephen Harper, accuses the center of having committed the crime.
Howard’s defense claims that the player was blackmailed by Harper after the meeting. “What was a private meeting turned into a public one for personal gain. Howard blocked Mr Harper on social media and was confronted afterwards. Either he paid to protect his reputation, or he would make up some story. Even though he is an easy target due to his status, Mr. Howard believes in justice and chose this path,” one of Howard’s lawyers declared to the jury. The two started talking via Instagram messages in May 2021, until they met in person, at Dwight Howard’s house, in July of the same year. And it is precisely during this meeting that the man, called Stephen Harper, accuses the center of having committed the crime.