Mediation Fails in Defamation Case | Fresno News

Mediation collapsed in a high-stakes defamation case where former Bullard High coach Don Arax sues Fresno Unified and Trustee Keshia Thomas over a 2022 podcast accusation that he used a racial slur against her son. Despite a retired California Supreme Court Justice presiding, no agreement was reached — with the district emphasizing their participation was procedural, not admissions of fault. Complicating matters, Thomas’s son, now an adult, admitted in court he lied to his mother about the incident. With trial set for December 7th, Arax’s team plans to strike two key district defenses — truth and conditional privilege — in a motion due October 7th. The district has already spent over $369,000 on legal fees, raising questions about whether they’ll continue footing Thomas’s bill — a decision potentially up to the trustees. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/ea479560dccdfd99