Kings’ Assistant Coach Mark Hardy reportedly arrested on sexual abuse allegation

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

[For the Record, added at 2:15 p.m.: An earlier version of this post mentioned that another website had stated a connection between Hardy and the complainant; based on that website’s report, the Fabulous Forum post provided further identifying information. It is The Times’ practice not to name sexual abuse victims in circumstances such as this, and that portion of the post has been removed. The Times regrets the error.]

The Kings have declined to comment on reports from multiple sources that Assistant Coach Mark Hardy was arrested Thursday in Washington, D.C., and charged with sexual abuse based on a complaint from a woman in her 20s.

“We are aware of the charge. Due to the legal nature of this matter we will not have any additional comments at this time,” the Kings’ statement said.

Hardy played for the Kings from 1979 to ’88 and again from 1992 to ’94 and has twice served as an assistant coach.

[Updated at 11 a.m.: Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Eric Frost said by phone Friday that the department has in custody “somebody by that name but we don’t know who he is. To us he’s another sexual abuse misdemeanor defendant in the lockup. If he’s a celebrity, it doesn’t matter to us.”

Frost said the department cannot release the identity of those who are arrested for privacy reasons. He said the suspect will go before a judge Friday in a show-cause hearing.]

More later at www.latimes.com/sports

-- Helene Elliott