Rick Pitino Sex Scandal

University of Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino tonight released a statement saying that he is fighting an extortion attempt aimed at him.

Without giving specifics of actions he says are being taken against him, Pitino said in a statement released by the university that he alerted both the FBI and the university into what he believes is an extortion attempt, and that the matter is under investigation.


Pitino's statement, in full, reads, "My family and I were recently threatened as part of a criminal scheme to extort money. Upon receiving these threats, we reported this extortion attempt to the FBI.


"While I did not want to make this matter public, I recently learned that the individual behind this extortion attempt has already gone to the media with false, defamatory and outrageous allegations in an attempt to pressure me to cave in to this scheme.


"I want to make it clear that I intend to vigorously defend my reputation and the character of my family against any criminal scheme to extort money. I am hopeful that the media and public will recognize the slanderous nature of this direct and malicious attack.


"My family and I appreciate the support we have received from Tom Jurich, Dr. James Ramsey, and the entire Louisville family. Because this is a federal criminal investigation, I cannot comment further at this time. Any inquiries should be directed to my attorney, Steve Pence."


The release states that Pitino first reported the allegations last month.


Pence could not immediately be reached for comment.


U of L president James Ramsey issued a statement saying that he supports Pitino and stands by his decision to go to the authorities.


U of L athletic director Tom Jurich said in a statement that, "Coach Pitino has informed us that he and his attorneys have reported a potential extortion attempt to the FBI. We cannot comment further about this ongoing criminal investigation. We stand by Coach Pitino and support his decision to alert the authorities."


Read more about this story in tomorrow's Courier-Journal, and at www.courier-journal.com

Buster said:

University of Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino tonight released a statement saying that he is fighting an extortion attempt aimed at him.

Without giving specifics of actions he says are being taken against him, Pitino said in a statement released by the university that he alerted both the FBI and the university into what he believes is an extortion attempt, and that the matter is under investigation.


Pitino's statement, in full, reads, "My family and I were recently threatened as part of a criminal scheme to extort money. Upon receiving these threats, we reported this extortion attempt to the FBI.


"While I did not want to make this matter public, I recently learned that the individual behind this extortion attempt has already gone to the media with false, defamatory and outrageous allegations in an attempt to pressure me to cave in to this scheme.


"I want to make it clear that I intend to vigorously defend my reputation and the character of my family against any criminal scheme to extort money. I am hopeful that the media and public will recognize the slanderous nature of this direct and malicious attack.


"My family and I appreciate the support we have received from Tom Jurich, Dr. James Ramsey, and the entire Louisville family. Because this is a federal criminal investigation, I cannot comment further at this time. Any inquiries should be directed to my attorney, Steve Pence."


The release states that Pitino first reported the allegations last month.


Pence could not immediately be reached for comment.


U of L president James Ramsey issued a statement saying that he supports Pitino and stands by his decision to go to the authorities.


U of L athletic director Tom Jurich said in a statement that, "Coach Pitino has informed us that he and his attorneys have reported a potential extortion attempt to the FBI. We cannot comment further about this ongoing criminal investigation. We stand by Coach Pitino and support his decision to alert the authorities."


Read more about this story in tomorrow's Courier-Journal, and at www.courier-journal.com

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Where do you see anything about sex here? I read your post and story in the link and didn't see anything specific.

sorry this was from another website and was left out...

it appears that legendary basketball coach Rick Pitino had an affair with the U. of Louisville's equipment manager's wife and the guy, Tim Sypher, has now alleged sexual misconduct. This guy is supposedly his longtime buddy who has gone to several jobs with him. Now both the equipment manager and the wife want millions or they'll expose the affair.





although they may be after him for leaving a jiffy lube without paying for an oil change,or a grocery store without paying for an easter ham...

Buster said:

sorry this was from another website and was left out...

it appears that legendary basketball coach Rick Pitino had an affair with the U. of Louisville's equipment manager's wife and the guy, Tim Sypher, has now alleged sexual misconduct. This guy is supposedly his longtime buddy who has gone to several jobs with him. Now both the equipment manager and the wife want millions or they'll expose the affair.





although they may be after him for leaving a jiffy lube without paying for an oil change,or a grocery store without paying for an easter ham...

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Wow, good stuff.

although they may be after him for leaving a jiffy lube without paying for an oil change,or a grocery store without paying for an easter ham or throwing a game here or there....

in your mind does it make it less likely that anything happened due to him being the one calling the FBI...

http://www.courier-journal.com/arti...TS/FBI+investigating+Pitino+s+extortion+claim

"Louisville attorney Thomas Clay later called the newspaper and said he represents the woman who is under FBI investigation. He declined to provide details of her claims or to identify her, but when told that WDRB 41 had named her as Karen Sypher, the wife of U of L basketball equipment manager Tim Sypher, he said he did not "take issue" with that."

wonder if this is her?

http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/living/fashion/0503derbyfashion/

Hi ...I'm Chris Hanson....

She may be a loon... but its clear Ricky bagged this MILF and the best defense is a good Federal Investigative offense. She's a liar!! Yeah great, but an all-time top NCAA coach responsible for shaping the lives of 15 young men every year f@ked the equipment manager's wife...

It's hilarious to watch the Courier Journal stumble over themselves trying to keep a lid on this. Sad.

She COULD Be A MILF

I think it's a bad pic. Like to see her bod!! At least it wasn't a cheerleader. @)

Doesn't surprise me, I have an online buddy from Loiusville tell me that Pitino has always been a 'playah'

billhill999 said:

Doesn't surprise me, I have an online buddy from Loiusville tell me that Pitino has always been a 'playah'

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Heard the same when he was at Kentucky.

you can always follow the story at fox41
http://www.fox41.com/global/categor...eoCatNoB=162008&autoStart=true&clipId=3671406


and yes i've always heard rumors about Pitino having girls on the side. Just a few years back i heard a story about a cheerleader he was supposedly banging.

billhill999 said:

Doesn't surprise me, I have an online buddy from Loiusville tell me that Pitino has always been a 'playah'

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Exactly i met him a few times and one of his best buddies was the late Roger King.

God Blessed Rick Pitino.

http://www.heraldonline.com/120/story/1293908.html

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- An equipment manager's estranged wife was charged with trying to extort Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino, at first demanding cars and tuition for her children, then later asking for $10 million, according to a federal complaint filed Friday.

Karen Cunagin Sypher, who also is accused of lying to the FBI in the case, did not enter a plea at a court appearance Friday and was released on her own recognizance.

Sypher's husband, Tim Sypher, brought Pitino a written list of demands including tuition, two cars of her choice, paying off her house and $3,000 per month, according to the complaint. The demands later escalated to $10 million, the complaint said.



What sort of information Sypher may have been trying to use to extort the successful coach was not included in the complaint, which only said Pitino believed it was related to an unspecified encounter with the woman in 2003. Pitino took over Louisville's basketball program in 2001.

The 56-year-old coach first brought up the extortion allegations last week, when he said he had reported them to the FBI last month. Since then, Karen Sypher has given some media interviews, mostly saying she's just defending herself. One station that did an extensive interview said it chose not to air her allegations because they could not be confirmed.

Tim Sypher, a longtime aide to Pitino, voiced his support for his boss in a statement last week, and divorce papers for the couple has been filed in recent weeks.

Pitino's attorney, Steve Pence, released a statement and said he has directed the coach to have no further comment on the case.

"While Coach Pitino takes no comfort in this prosecution and remains astonished by these events, it marks a turning point that allows him to focus with a clear mind once again on his family and his team," said Pence.

Outside the courthouse, Sypher's attorney, Thomas Clay, declined to predict what might happen in the case.

"The criminal complaint clearly reflects other people were involved in this," Clay said. "Whether they will be charged, I don't know."

Clay declined to comment on Sypher's allegation against Pitino. In court, she answered only "yes, sir" to questions from U.S. Magistrate Judge Dave Whalin, and she would not comment later.

According to the criminal complaint written by FBI Special Agent Steven Wight, Pitino received two voicemail messages from a man who did not identify himself on Feb. 26 and a third call on Feb. 28. Pitino told Wight the first two concerned personal allegations that were "criminal in nature" and could harm the coach's reputation, while the third was a threat to make the allegations public in two weeks.

Wight notes in the complaint that the truth about the allegations against Pitino is "suspect" and were left out of the criminal complaint.

Pitino told Wight he met with the Syphers after the first two calls and asked what she wanted and Karen Sypher talked about a house, cars and cash. Pitino told Wight that he played the voicemail for her and she denied knowing about the calls.

Kenyon Meyer, Tim Sypher's attorney, said his client is not being targeted in the criminal investigation and is cooperating.

"This whole series of events has just been devastating," Meyer said.

Wight said Karen Sypher hired an attorney on March 22 and the attorney mailed a letter to Pitino repeating the allegations made in the voicemail, but in greater detail. In the letter, Sypher also accused Pitino of orchestrating the threatening calls, Wight said. The attorney filed a divorce petition on behalf of her and made demands of Pitino, including one for $10 million, Wight said. An affidavit containing the allegations against Pitino and attached to the petition has been sealed.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kuhn asked Whalin to bar Karen Sypher from hurting Pitino's reputation while on bond, and Clay said his client agreed not discuss the coach in public.

Pitino signed a three-year contract extension with the Cardinals in May 2007 that could keep him at the school through 2013. The deal pays him an annual salary of $2.5 million a year if he stays until the end of the contract. He'll receive loyalty bonuses of $3.6 million in 2010 and 2013 if he remains with the school.

Kuhn said a federal grand jury is scheduled to meet May 11-12 and could hear the case.

The FBI interviewed Sypher earlier this month about the calls and said she failed a polygraph test to her during the second interview. She then gave false information about the caller's identity, leading to charges of lying to the FBI, Wight said.

Agents also interviewed a man who admitted making the calls to Pitino.

The man, who was not identified in the complaint, told Wight that Karen Sypher talked about getting $200,000 to $400,000. The man said Karen Sypher asked him to make the calls "during a critical period in the basketball season to increase the pressure" on Pitino, Wight said.

CONGRATS ON MAKING IT TO THE 2013 FINAL 4 !!!

Congrats RICK !!!!

Does buster still post here?

jb777 said:

Does buster still post here?

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He has 104 points so I would think he's still around

anyone see Karen Cunagin Sypher around........

Guy always has his foot in the tub.