Karen Sypher

Karen Sypher INTRODUCTION

Karen Sypher, the former wife of Louisville basketball equipment manager Tim Sypher (they are in the process of divorcing), has been named as the alleged extortionist against Louisville coach Rick Pitino. Pitino contacted the FBI last month and they are now investigating the claim.

Karen Sypher BACKGROUND

On April 18, 2009, Pitino announced that he was a target of an extortion attempt. On April 24, 2009, Karen Sypher was arraigned and charged in US District Court with extortion and lying to federal agents. On July 9, after the indictment, Sypher told police that Pitino had raped her on two occasions, but the state declined to file charges against Pitino.

On August 11, 2009, Pitino admitted to having had a sexual encounter with Sypher on August 1, 2003 in a Louisville restaurant, Porcini, but insisted that it was consensual. Several weeks later, Sypher told Pitino that she was pregnant and wanted to have an abortion, but did not have health insurance. Pitino paid Sypher $3,000 for an abortion.

The next day at a press conference, he made a statement and apologized for the affair and stated that he would remain as coach. While Pitino's contract allows for his firing for "acts of moral depravity or misconduct that damages the university's reputation," University of Louisville president James Ramsey announced, on August 13, 2009, that Pitino would be retained in his position.

Karen Sypher FUTURE FOR KAREN SYPHER

Very little is know about Karen Sypher as of August, 2009, but there will be more updates as the case proceeds further.