Simpson sentences woman to 7 years in Pitino extortion case
February 20, 2011
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky: Federal judge Charles R. Simpson sentenced Karen Sypher to 87 months in the federal penitentiary on February 18, 2011. Simpson's sentence followed Sypher's conviction by a jury in August 2010; the jury found her guilty of an attempt to extort $10 million from Rick Pitino, the basketball coach at the University of Louisville. Sypher was also convicted of retaliating against a witness and lying to the FBI.[1]
Karen Sypher is the ex-wife of Tim Sypher, who is the equipment manager for the Louisville team.[2]
Pitino and Sypher had a one-night sexual relationship in 2003 after dinner at a restaurant. Later, she said that unless he gave her money, a house, and luxury cars, she would go to the authorities and report what happened as a rape.[3]
Judge Simpson characterized Sypher's conduct as "...brazen. It was driven apparently by sheer greed."[1] In addition to the 87 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release, Simpson ordered Sypher to pay $600 in fines.[3]
Sypher is a former model and auto glass saleswoman. Her new legal team vowed that they would appeal.[3] Sypher's new legal team replaces her old legal team which, according to Sypher, was engaged in a conspiracy with Judge Simpson, prosecutors, and Pitino to ensure a guilty verdict.[3]
Coach Pitino is a married father of five. He testified that on the night in question in 2003, he had sex with Sypher in an empty restaurant after she whispered to him and then unzipped his pants. He testified in court that the sexual interlude lasted "15 seconds" and characterized it as "unfortunate."[3]
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