Dwight Howard, a former NBA star, has requested the court to seal specific evidence, including sexually explicit text messages exchanged with his accuser, Stephen Harper, in an ongoing lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault. According to court documents obtained by RadarOnline.com, Howard argued that sealing the texts was necessary to establish critical defense facts while also warranting privacy protection. In a motion to dismiss the entire lawsuit, Howard’s legal team requested the court to prevent public access to the contested text messages, claiming that the lawsuit and the texts were being exploited to satisfy private vendettas and create public scandal. Harper filed the lawsuit earlier this year, alleging assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and false imprisonment. Harper claims to have met Howard on Instagram, leading to explicit text exchanges and an invitation to Howard’s residence. The encounter took an unexpected turn, with Howard allegedly involving another person named Kitty, resulting in nonconsensual acts. Howard denies all allegations, admitting only to a consensual encounter, and alleges that the texts submitted by Harper were doctored. The case is being portrayed as a product of unrequited love, with Howard suggesting Harper’s distress stems from Howard ending communication after their one-night stand. Howard is also involved in a custody battle with his ex, Tiffany Render, in a separate lawsuit.
