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Complaints Against Pitino From Alleged Extortionist Won't Be Prosecuted

Associated Press
Published | Updated

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A state prosecutor said Wednesday a complaint filed by a woman in an alleged extortion attempt of Louisville coach Rick Pitino won't be prosecuted because it lacks supporting evidence.

Jefferson County Commonwealth's Attorney David Stengel said he was taking no action on the complaint Karen Cunagin Sypher filed to the police department's sex-offense unit last week. The report has not been released publicly.

Sypher has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of trying to extort money from Pitino and lying to the FBI. She is accused of demanding college tuition for her children, her house to be paid off and, eventually, $10 million.

Pitino's attorney, Steve Pence, said her complaint was void of credibility.

"Coach takes no great pleasure in this entire ordeal," Pence told The Associated Press. "We still have an extortion trial and we'll continue to cooperate with the federal government on that."

A cell phone Sypher has used in the past was disconnected and her home number is unlisted.

Stengel's decision came just hours after University of Louisville Athletics Director Tom Jurich said in a statement that school administrators would stand by Pitino.

"The decision of the commonwealth's attorney confirms what we've known all along," Jurich said.

There is no trial scheduled yet for Sypher. Her attorney, Thomas Clay of Louisville, has sought to resign, telling a federal judge he has "irreconcilable differences" with his client.

The judge has not yet ruled on Clay's request.

Sypher's longtime friend, Lester Goetzinger, also has been charged with taking part in the alleged extortion plot. Goetzinger reached a deal with prosecutors that, in exchange for having his record cleared, he would testify against her.

Prosecutors said Goetzinger left three voicemail messages on Pitino's cell phone between Feb. 26 and Feb. 28 at Sypher's request. Goetzinger's attorney, John Berry of Louisville, has said Sypher traded sexual favors in exchange for the phone calls.