Former NBA star Dwight Howard has denied sexually assaulting a man he met on Instagram and asked a court to dismiss the man's lawsuit.
According to court documents obtained by Radaronline.com, the NBA legend admitted that he met his accuser Stephen Harper on social media in May 2021.
Did Dwight Howard touch his teammate inappropriately?
Harper said he approached Howard with a direct message on Instagram. He said he sent his mobile phone number, and Howard sent a text message after receiving it.
The former NBA star says it was all consensual
In his lawsuit, he said Howard mentioned to him that he liked "weird" sexual things and that he asked Harper to send him explicit photos. In his response, Howard said he exchanged text messages with Harper between May 2021 and July 2021, "several of which included sexually explicit content, such as photographs and videos".
The former LA Lakers star said Harper came to his home on July 19, 2021. Howard admitted that they went to his room, took off their clothes and "kissed consensually". In his lawsuit, Harper claimed Howard surprised him by introducing him to a man dressed as a woman. Harper said the man called himself "Kitty".
In his complaint, Harper said Howard wanted a threesome with Kitty, but he resisted. She said Kitty began performing oral sex on Howard. Harper said he felt uncomfortable and did not want to participate. He said Howard tried to touch his thigh and stoked his "penis through his underwear".
Harper said he asked Howard to stop. Instead of listening, he claimed Howard told him he was "going to do whatever" and that he was "going to like it".
"Defendant stood up (towering over Mr. Harper), grabbed Mr. Harper by the thighs, forcibly removed Mr. Harper's underwear, restrained him and performed non-consensual oral sex on him," the lawsuit said. "Mr. Harper feared imminent bodily harm when he was restrained and forced to remain in place while the defendant continued to sexually assault him."
Harper said Howard stopped performing the sexual act on him when he realized Harper was not enjoying it. The lawsuit says Howard then ordered Harper to lie down. Harper said Kitty was having sex with Howard.
Harper said Howard forced him to perform oral sex on him. He said he tried to call an Uber after the incident, but Howard had Kitty drive him home.
The lawsuit charges Howard with assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and false imprisonment.
In his answer, Howard denied that Kitty surprised Harper. He said that "the plaintiff knew he would also arrive at the house before he arrived at the defendant's house."
Howard admitted that Kitty was a man dressed as a woman. In addition, Howard admitted that he touched Kitty and Harper, but said it was all consensual activity. "All three agreed to touch each other and engage in consensual sexual activity," Howard's lawyer wrote.
Howard denied sexually assaulting Harper or forcing him to receive or perform sexual acts. He has demanded that the entire lawsuit be dismissed in court.
As first reported by Radaronline.com, in his lawsuit, Harper presented text messages and an Uber receipt from July 19, 2021 to prove that he visited Howard's home.
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