WASHINGTON, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The Sacramento Kings and the NBA announced on Thursday that they have begun a joint investigation into the allegations that Kings coach Luke Walton sexually assaulted a woman.
Kelli Tennant, who worked as a sports reporter in Los Angeles, Monday filed a lawsuit in which she accuses new Sacramento Kings coach Walton of sexually assaulting her when he was an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors.
"The Kings have hired Sue Ann Van Dermyden, founding partner of Sacramento law firm Van Dermyden Maddux, who is an expert on employment law with decades of experience in conducting investigations, and Jennifer Doughty, a veteran investigator and senior associate attorney at Van Dermyden Maddux. They will lead the Kings investigatory team. The NBA's investigatory team will be led by senior vice president Elizabeth Maringer," the club said in a statement.
"The Kings and the NBA take these allegations very seriously and will collaborate to conduct a complete and thorough investigation," the club added.
Walton was a Warriors assistant from 2014 to 2016. After his stay at Golden State, Walton went on to become head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Walton was dismissed by the Lakers this month and hired by the Kings.
