SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on a lawsuit that accuses Sacramento Kings coach Luke Walton of sexual assault (all times local):
5:30 p.m.
A former sports reporter who is suing Luke Walton for sexual assault says the new Sacramento Kings coach held her down, kissed and groped her in a hotel room, then laughed at her.
At a news conference Tuesday in Los Angeles, Kelli Tennant said she was terrified that Walton was going to rape her.
The alleged incident took place several years ago, before Walton was the Kings coach.
The suit, filed Monday, also alleges there is a culture of misogyny in the NBA.
Tennant did not file a police report against Walton.
His attorney, Mark Baute, says the allegations are “baseless” and he calls Tennant “an opportunist, not a victim.”
The Lakers fired Walton earlier this month and he was hired by the Kings.
The Kings say they are aware of the report and gathering additional information. The team had no other comment.
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12 a.m.
A female sports reporter has accused new Sacramento Kings coach Luke Walton of sexual assault in a lawsuit.
TMZ reported Monday night citing legal documents that Kelli Tennant is suing Walton. TMZ reports that Tennant claims she went to Walton’s hotel room to discuss a book she was writing when Walton pinned her to the bed, forcibly kissed her and groped her. The incident happened before Walton became coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2016 and while Tennant worked for Sportsnet LA.
Walton was let go by the Lakers earlier this month and hired by the Kings.
The Kings say they are aware of the report and gathering additional information. The team had no other comment.
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