LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The woman convicted of trying to extort money from Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino has reported to a federal prison in Florida to begin serving an 87-month sentence.
Prison spokeswoman Jennifer Saad said Karen Cunagin Sypher checked into the minimum-security federal women's prison in Marianna at 1:50 p.m. EDT on Wednesday.
Sypher's attorneys have made repeated requests for her to remain free while she appeals convictions on charges of extortion, lying to the FBI and retaliation against a witness. The most recent appeal was rejected by the U.S. Court of Appeals on Tuesday.
Prosecutors alleged at her trial that she sought millions from Pitino to stay quiet about a 2003 sexual encounter.
The prison requires inmates to have a job assignment and undergo early-morning room inspections Monday through Friday.