Richaun Holmes files defamation lawsuit against The Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings center Richaun Holmes has filed a defamationlawsuit against The Sacramento Bee, Robin Epley (an opinion writerat The Bee) and Allexis Holmes (Richaun's ex-wife).

Holmes is represented by Camille Vasquez — who famouslyrepresented Johnny Depp in his defamation case against his ex-wifeAmber Heard — along with Leo Presiado, Jessica Meyers and SamMoniz. Vasquez has also represented Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Affleckand Jennifer Lopez among others.

Holmes is seeking damages for "defamatory content" across fivearticles published by The Sacramento Bee between March 2022 and May2022. These articles detailed claims of child abuse and domesticabuse, but the lawsuit alleges that there were "ample reasons todoubt Ms. Holmes' credibility, including publicly-available courtfilings and orders contradicting Ms. Holmes' claims."

Richaun was ultimately awarded sole custody of his son, RJ. Thelawsuit alleges that "despite being vindicated in court... [Holmes]has been wrongfully labeled an abuser in the public eye."

Also, the lawsuit argues that "this is a case about journalismat its worst," alleging that Epley and The Bee were "clinging to,and cashing in on, a false narrative steeped in harmful racialstereotypes, in the face of mounting evidence that their chosennarrative was blatantly untrue."

According to the lawsuit, Epley and The Sacramento Bee weregiven multiple opportunities to correct these claims yet theydeclined to do so.

Karl Olson, an attorney for The Bee, said that the articles aboutHolmes featured "a combination of fair and true reporting ofjudicial proceedings and opinion.”

“These actions were a coordinated and malicious effort todeliberately defame Mr. Holmes — a devoted father, son andteammate," Vasquez said in a statement. "We will pursue allavailable remedies to rebuild from the damage that The SacramentoBee, Epley and Ms. Holmes have inflicted on Mr. Holmes.

"Despite the publicly available court decisions disproving eachof these allegations, this narrative will have a lasting impact onMr. Holmes’ life and career. Mr. Holmes will continue to be theoutstanding father, player and community member he always has been,and we look forward to this matter being resolved.”

Holmes is an eight-year NBA veteran with career averages of 9.0points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.0 block in 20.0 minutes per game. Hecurrently plays for the Kings, and he previously had stints withthe Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers.