Pitino Extortion Case

In April, 2008, news broke that an attempt was made to extort money from Louisville coach Rick Pitino.

A Louisville woman named Karen Sypher was arrested and charged with attempted extortion and lying to the FBI. Sypher and several co-conspirators allegedly threatened Pitino, saying they'd go public with criminal allegations against the coach unless their demands were met. Days after her arrest, Sypher accused Pitino of rape.

Pitino's Role

Prosecutors who reviewed the allegations have said Pitino will not be charged with any crime, but the coach is hardly blameless in this affair. According to reports obtained by the Louisville Courier-Journal, Pitino Pitino admitted to having consensual sex with Sypher -- then Karen Cunagin, and to giving her $3000 to obtain an abortion. Cunagin later married Tim Sypher -- a member of Pitino's staff at Louisville.

Pitino is a married father of five, and a practicing Catholic who often has Rev. Edward Bradley pray with his team before games.

What's Next for Pitino?

For now, it seems these allegations won't have any effect on Pitino's status at Louisville. In a statement to press, UL athletic director Tim Jurich said, "Coach Pitino has been truthful with us about this matter all along and we stand by him and his family during this process."

But a statement from Louisville president James Ramsey was a bit more ominous in tone. Ramsey said, "Several months ago Coach Pitino informed me about the alleged extortion attempt. I've now been informed that there may be other details which, if true, I find surprising."

Pitino associates have reportedly told ESPN's Andy Katz that the coach will not be taking a leave of absence in the wake of this scandal.

The news of Pitino's affair casts other Louisville news in a whole new light. At around the same time the extorsion attempt was becoming public, Pitino's people made general inquiries about the then-vacant Sacramento Kings coaching position. And Pitino's son Richard left the Louisville staff at around the same time, taking a job with Pitino protege Billy Donovan at Florida.

Could it be that Pitino was concerned that this story could cause him to lose his job? Or to ruin his standing in the Louisville community? Was the younger Pitino's departure a reaction to news of his father's affair?

Latest Developments

Pitino Strikes Back
August 30, 2009
In response to the release of audio and video of his Karen Cunagin Sypher's interviews with police, Pitino angrily denounced her accusations as "a total lie."

Pitino's Accuser Speaks
August 14, 2009
Pitino's accuser gave her (incredibly convoluted) side of the story in an exclusive interview with the New York Post.

Pitino's Apology
August 13, 2009
Rick Pitino apologizes for his "indiscretion," vows to stay at Louisville "as long as they'll have me."

Pitino's Contract Has a Morality Clause
August 12, 2009
Could Rick Pitino's indiscretions cost him his job? That's far from clear at this point... but Louisville apparently has the option to hand him his walking papers.

Pitino Admits Affair, Payment for Abortion
August 12, 2009
The case of Karen Sypher -- the woman accused of attempting to extort money from Cardinals coach Rick Pitino -- took an ugly turn yesterday, when reports obtained by the Louisville Courier-Journal revealed that Pitino admitted to having consensual sex with Sypher in 2003, and to giving her $3,000 for an abortion.

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