Pitino says he didn’t immediately report threats

Karen Cunagin Sypher, second from left, walks with two unidentified women and her attorney James Earhart as she leaves the federal courthouse in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010. Sypher was convicted of extortion for demanding millions of dollars from Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino to keep their tryst at a restaurant secret. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

Story Topics

• Law_Crime
• Rick Pitino
• Karen Cunagin Sypher
• James Earhart
• Karen Wise

Follow Us On

Facebook

Follow @washtimes

Question of the Day

Do you think the Virginia Senate will pass the 'personhood' measure?

• Yes
• No
• Undecided
• Other

Login to Vote

View results

LOUISVILLE, KY. (AP) - Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino has finished testifying in the case of a woman who demanded millions from him after a sexual tryst, saying he didn’t immediately report threatening phone calls because he didn’t want his family to find out.

Pitino said Thursday that he kept quiet to “contain” potentially damaging information.

He and the attorney for Karen Cunagin Sypher, who is charged with extortion, had multiple heated exchanges during two hours of questioning Thursday.

Pitino a day earlier acknowledged on the stand the two had sex in a restaurant booth. Sypher has alleged it was rape.

During questioning about the rape allegation, Pitino interrupted defense lawyer James Earhart saying he’s “here to give the truth.” Earhart replied: “I bet you are.”

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) _ The trial of a woman accused of trying to extort Rick Pitino began its fourth day with a heated exchange Thursday between the Louisville basketball coach and the woman’s attorney.

Attorney James Earhart was questioning Pitino about allegations that he raped Karen Cunagin Sypher when the coach interrupted, saying he was “here to give the truth.” Earhart replied, “I bet you are.”

Earhart also questioned Pitino about calls made to the coach’s phone about a sexual encounter he and Sypher had in 2003 inside an Italian restaurant in Louisville.

Sypher has pleaded not guilty and claims she was raped during the restaurant encounter. However, no charges were ever filed, and authorities have said her claims lacked merit.

Sypher is charged with extortion and has been accused of asking for cash, cars and a house to stay quiet about the sexual liaison.

Pitino testified for about four hours Wednesday, telling jurors that Sypher initiated the sex by whispering to him and unzipping his pants when he got up to leave an empty Italian restaurant.

The Louisville coach’s testimony marked the first time he’s talked publicly in detail about his July 2003 encounter with Sypher, the meeting that led to her trial this week on extortion charges. Pitino’s portrayal of Sypher as the aggressor came after several witnesses said she was flirty and persistent when she approached Pitino at the restaurant.

Pitino obliged her request to say happy birthday to her son on her cell phone. When she returned later, Pitino said, he bought the former model a drink. They lingered to talk after the restaurant had closed and the owner had gone home.

As he got up from the table, the married father of five said Sypher whispered something.

Story Continues →

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.