Kings news: Sacramento releases statement regarding sexual assault allegations against Luke Walton

The Sacramento Kings have released a statement regarding new head coach Luke Walton being accused of sexual assault by a female broadcaster.

The Kings have issued a statement regarding sexual assault allegations against their new coach, Luke Walton, as reported by TMZ.
"We are aware of the report and are gathering additional information. We have no further comment at this time."

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) April 23, 2019

Walton is being accused by reporter Kelli Tennant, who once worked for the Lakers' media partner Spectrum Sportsnet L.A., of sexual assault after she was called by Walton into his Santa Monica hotel room to discuss a book she was writing.

A copy of Tennant's lawsuit was obtained by TMZ, where she explained how Walton allegedly sexually harassed her.

In the suit, Tennant says when she arrived at Walton's hotel, he convinced her to come up to his room so they could discuss the book. She claims when they got up to his room, Walton suddenly pinned her to the bed, placing his hips and legs over her body.

In the docs, Tennant claims Walton then began forcing kisses on her neck, face and chest. She claims she screamed for him to stop and tried to free herself, but he held her down, groped her breasts and groin, and rubbed his erection on her leg.

She says he eventually relented and let her get up from the bed, but as she was walking towards the door to leave he grabbed her from behind and again forced his body up against hers.

TMZ initially reported that the incident happened in May of 2017, but it was later updated prior to his coaching stint with the Los Angeles Lakers.

According to reports, Tennant claimed she did not go public regarding the alleged assault because of her job. She added that Walton would often greet her with an aggressive hug or kiss even though she gave visible indications that she did not approve of the coach's actions.