Kings' Richaun Holmes suing local newspaper for defamation

A Sacramento Kings player is suing the biggest newspaper in the area.

NBA insider Chris Haynes reported on Friday that Kings forward Richaun Holmes is suing the Sacramento Bee and their staffers for defamation. The point of contention is five individual articles published by the newspaper.

Holmes’ attorney, Camille Vasquez, said in a statement that the “defendants intentionally, and maliciously, published claims of child and domestic abuse by Mr. Holmes despite easily accessible evidence to the contrary via public court filings.” Vasquez also called the Sacramento Bee’s actions “a coordinated and malicious effort to deliberately defame” Holmes.

The 29-year-old Holmes, who is in his eighth NBA season, faced allegations of domestic violence by his ex-wife in March 2022. The Sacramento Bee was the outlet that published the allegations made by Holmes’ ex-wife, who said Holmes committed acts of domestic violence and abused their 6-year-old son, per The Athletic. But judges in two different states would later grant Holmes both the sole physical and legal custody of their son, according to James Ham of ESPN.

To meet the legal conditions for defamation (aka the prima facie case), Holmes will have to prove that (1) there was a false and defamatory statement made about him by the defendants, (2) that there was publication or communication of that statement to a third party, (3) that there was fault on the part of the defendant and (4) that he suffered harm. Because Holmes is a public figure, he will also have to meet a higher standard to prove defamation. Namely, Holmes will need to prove that the defendants acted with “actual malice” (either that they knew the statement was false or that they acted with reckless disregard as to its truthfulness). For those who are not public figures, only a showing of negligence is required.

A lawyer for the newspaper called the reports "a combination of fair and true reporting of judicial proceedings and opinion," in the Sacramento Bee's reporting on the lawsuit.

Holmes is averaging 3.2 points and 2.0 rebounds per game in 35 appearances for the Kings this season. (He had a bigger role last season, averaging 10.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.)