Rick Pitino Denied Rape Allegation, Admits Sexual Encounter

Sports Betting News - August 12th, 2009 - Written by Glen

Rick Pitino, former Knicks Coach and current coach of the University of Louisville men's basketball team, admitted to having sexual relations, albeit consensually, with Karen Cunagin Sypher. Karen, 49, had accused Rick Pitino of sexually assaulting her in a restaurant. These allegations came barely a month after she had been indicted upon extortion charges. The alleged extortion was against Pitino and demanded in order for her continued silence on the matter.

In August of '03, Karen claimed to have been at Porcini, the restaurant in which Pitino et. al. had been celebrating the acquisition of former NBA star, Reggie Theus, as the assistant head coach of the team. Karen's side of the story included many plot holes, inconsistencies, and even some statements that investigators found to be outright lies. David Stengal, Commonwealth's Attorney, stated that he refused to prosecute Pitino due to a lack of solid evidence or credibility.

According to Karen, she had been at Porcini for an interview with a local reporter, Mike Pryzbylek, who in turn said that he had no original intention on meeting the ex-model at the bar. She continued her tale with the introduction between herself and Pitino, whom she asked to speak to her children about sport. Upon closing time, she claimed, Pitino was given the keys to lock the doors, as everyone else had left. This is when the alleged crime had taken place - Pitino, she claims, had then forced himself upon her. She told police that she had been "pushing him off and screaming." She also claimed that no one else was in the establishment, which would later be proven false.

It as later revealed that an aide, who was meant to be the designated driver, had remained behind after everyone had left. Karen neglected to include Tatum in her tale, and his proverbial two cents would prove invaluable - Tatum had not seen anything, but he claimed to hear "the sounds of of two people that seemed to be enjoying themselves during a sexual encounter."

Pitino had claimed that Karen had "come on to him" that night at the restaurant. He admitted to copulation, but stood by his claims that it was a consensual rendezvous. Pitino had also stated that he received a ride home from Karen. On the way to his residence, Karen had allegedly been asking for tickets to his games, to which he replied that they would discuss it. He had given her his card, and he had received a call less than three weeks later with Karen stating that conception had taken place that night. Pitino claimed to have paid her $3,000 dollars for an abortion, as she wished to have the procedure but could not afford it.

Karen also claimed that they had met at a condo of an associate of Pitino's, Tim Sypher, who Karen had ended up marrying in the near future. Tim and Karen had not known each other at the time, but the two ended up married, then subsequently divorced. Karen claimed Pitino had raped her in the condo as well, but Pitino had proof that he was not in the area during this incident, further punching holes in Karen's unwieldy claims. Karen claimed that Tim was also in the condo at the time of the rape, which brings questions to as of why Karen would later marry the man who had stood upstairs while she was supposedly raped, screaming for help.

With Tatum's testimony, Karen's obfuscation of facts and inconsistencies, and Pitino's defensive statements, investigating officials have decided not to pursue charges against Pitino. Pitino will remain a witness in the extortion trial, and nothing more. Karen is facing the extortion charges as she had allegedly attempted to pull $10 million dollars from Pitino in order for her to remain silent.

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