Gwinnett County

Man drops lawsuit against Dwight Howard that accused former NBA star of sexual assault

Los Angeles Lakers v Toronto Raptors TORONTO, ON - MARCH 18: Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up ahead of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on March 18, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A civil lawsuit accusing former NBA star Dwight Howard of sexual assault has been dropped.

In July 2023, a Georgia man filed a state civil lawsuit against Howard on claims of assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and false imprisonment, according to court documents.

The plaintiff accused the Atlanta native and former NBA star of sexually assaulting him after he did not agree to his sexual advances at Howard’s home in Gwinnett County on July 19, 2021.

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Howard and his attorneys filed a response to the lawsuit and described the encounter as “consensual.”

Earlier this year, a judge denied a motion from Howard’s attorneys to dismiss the lawsuit. However, the plaintiff dropped the lawsuit on Aug. 19, according to Gwinnett court documents.

Therefore, the judge dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice, meaning the plaintiff can’t sue Howard again on his claims.

ESPN spoke with Howard’s attorney, Justin Bailey, who said no money was paid in exchange for the plaintiff dropping the lawsuit.

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